JAMES WILLIAMS AND SHOCKING CRIMINALS IN DARTMOUTH AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT
| Red Rose Database
Dartmouth Sexual Abuser
A dangerous sex offender who had been on the authorities' radar for nearly two years has finally been apprehended, after years of evading law enforcement officials. The individual in question, James Ernest Williams, also known by the alias Alan John Appleton, was located living covertly aboard a boat near the Isle of Wight. His arrest concluded a lengthy manhunt which stemmed from his failure to adhere to legal conditions following his previous release from incarceration.
Williams, now 55 years old, had been one of the most wanted persons listed by Devon & Cornwall Police since October 2020. Authorities issued a public appeal urging assistance in locating him, emphasizing the seriousness of his breach of the terms set after his release. The criminal's failure to present himself at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on December 9th, 2020, marked a significant escalation in his case, prompting an intensified search.
The breakthrough in the case occurred last Tuesday night when police officers executed a raid at Folly Lane in Whippingham, an area on the Isle of Wight. The operation resulted in Williams's arrest, and he was subsequently transported to Newport Police Station for further interrogation. Details surrounding how officers tracked him down remain undisclosed; however, it was noted that his physical appearance had changed considerably since authorities last searched for him. He had gained weight and grown both his hair and beard, which likely contributed to delaying his recognition.
It has been confirmed that Williams, originally from Manchester, faced charges for failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements. These violations led to him being remanded into custody, with a scheduled court appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on June 30th. During a hearing last Thursday, the case was escalated to the Crown Court for a higher level of judicial review, and Williams was ordered to appear there on August 5th. Until that date, he remains in custody.
Williams, often referred to by his alias Appleton, has deep roots in the South Devon region, with known connections to Torbay and Dartmouth. His movements had previously been thought to include the Paignton area, and there was speculation regarding his presence in Portsmouth or Reading at various times. His most recent address was recorded as Clarence Street in Dartmouth, but he had been living secretly and moving between different locations.
This case exemplifies the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and apprehending individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who go to great lengths to avoid detection. The police continue to monitor Williams’s case closely, awaiting his court appearance, and emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in ensuring justice is served.
Williams, now 55 years old, had been one of the most wanted persons listed by Devon & Cornwall Police since October 2020. Authorities issued a public appeal urging assistance in locating him, emphasizing the seriousness of his breach of the terms set after his release. The criminal's failure to present himself at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on December 9th, 2020, marked a significant escalation in his case, prompting an intensified search.
The breakthrough in the case occurred last Tuesday night when police officers executed a raid at Folly Lane in Whippingham, an area on the Isle of Wight. The operation resulted in Williams's arrest, and he was subsequently transported to Newport Police Station for further interrogation. Details surrounding how officers tracked him down remain undisclosed; however, it was noted that his physical appearance had changed considerably since authorities last searched for him. He had gained weight and grown both his hair and beard, which likely contributed to delaying his recognition.
It has been confirmed that Williams, originally from Manchester, faced charges for failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements. These violations led to him being remanded into custody, with a scheduled court appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on June 30th. During a hearing last Thursday, the case was escalated to the Crown Court for a higher level of judicial review, and Williams was ordered to appear there on August 5th. Until that date, he remains in custody.
Williams, often referred to by his alias Appleton, has deep roots in the South Devon region, with known connections to Torbay and Dartmouth. His movements had previously been thought to include the Paignton area, and there was speculation regarding his presence in Portsmouth or Reading at various times. His most recent address was recorded as Clarence Street in Dartmouth, but he had been living secretly and moving between different locations.
This case exemplifies the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and apprehending individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who go to great lengths to avoid detection. The police continue to monitor Williams’s case closely, awaiting his court appearance, and emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in ensuring justice is served.