JOE TAYLOR FAILS TO REGISTER ADDRESS IN LAMPETER: SEX OFFENDER'S FIVE-MONTH OMISSION

In December 2017, a serious breach of the sex offenders register was brought to light involving Joe Charles Patrick Taylor, a 29-year-old man with a criminal history linked to sexual offenses. Taylor, who had previously been convicted of engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in 2011 to a two-year prison term. As part of his sentence, he was mandated to register his address with authorities and to update this information whenever he moved, especially if the new residence lasted longer than seven days.

Despite these legal obligations, Taylor failed to comply with the registration requirements for a period spanning five months, from May to October. The failure came to light when police officers conducted routine checks at an address registered to him. During these checks, Taylor’s ex-girlfriend informed the officers that he had not been living at that address since May. Instead, she revealed that Taylor had been residing with his mother in Lampeter, a fact he had not disclosed to authorities.

Officers learned that Taylor had not reported his change of residence because he claimed his mother was ill, and he wished to avoid causing her any additional problems. When questioned, Taylor admitted to the officers that he believed he was “doing the right thing” by not registering his new address, but he now recognized that this was not the case. His failure to update his address was deemed a deliberate omission, and it was noted that he had already been cautioned in June for failing to comply with the registration requirements.

During discussions with law enforcement, Taylor had mentioned the possibility of moving in with his mother but had not confirmed this intention, leading authorities to believe that his failure to register was a calculated decision rather than an oversight. The prosecution, represented by Helen Tench, emphasized that Taylor’s actions constituted a deliberate breach over a significant period, which is a serious violation of the conditions set by the court.

Defense solicitor Kevin Williams argued that Taylor’s actions were not an attempt to evade authorities but rather a misunderstanding of the registration process. He explained that Taylor had been living openly in Lampeter, rather than at his registered address in Tregaron, and that his concern about registering his new address was primarily to protect his mother from potential complications. Williams pointed out that Taylor had not committed any other offenses during this period and that, had he not been previously cautioned, this matter might have been resolved with a simple warning.

Magistrates decided to adjourn sentencing until 7 December to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, indicating that the case remains under consideration and that further legal action may follow based on the report’s findings.