JOHN BISHOP PRENTON PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR BREACHES IN LIVERPOOL

In February 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving John Bishop, a 47-year-old roofer from Prenton, who was previously convicted of heinous child sex crimes. Despite serving time for these offenses, Bishop managed to conceal his dark past from his new partner, leading to a series of legal repercussions.

After his release from prison, Bishop moved into a residence on Waterpark Road in Prenton. He initially kept his true history hidden, falsely claiming to his partner that his incarceration was due to an altercation with a police officer. This deception allowed him to establish a relationship and even enjoy a family Christmas dinner at her home, which included a nine-year-old child among the guests.

The truth about Bishop’s past only surfaced when police tracked him down to his partner’s address. It was revealed that he had been living with her since June 2021, at an address different from his registered one. Authorities had previously visited his former residence in Waterpark Road multiple times since 2019, but he was not present, and the landlord expressed doubts about his current residence there.

Further investigations uncovered that Bishop had purchased two mobile phones in March 2020, both capable of internet access, and had given one to his partner. However, he failed to produce these devices for police inspection. During questioning, Bishop falsely claimed to his partner that he was under probation for assaulting a police officer, a statement that was entirely untrue.

Prosecutor Christopher Hopkins explained that Bishop had been released from incarceration in November 2019 and had previously been sentenced to three years in prison for engaging in sexual activities in the presence of a minor under 16, along with multiple offenses of exposure. These offenses included repeatedly exposing himself to a young girl, spying on her, and performing a sex act while watching her. As part of his sentence, Bishop was subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was required to register as a sex offender.

Despite these restrictions, Bishop was found to have committed multiple breaches of the SHPO. He pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the order, including failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register. The breaches were considered 'flagrant' by the court, as they involved deliberate actions to ignore the restrictions placed upon him.

During the hearing, Judge David Aubrey, QC, emphasized the importance of the SHPO in protecting children and underscored Bishop’s responsibility to adhere to it. The judge condemned Bishop’s decision to ignore the order and not communicate with authorities for an extended period. As a result, Bishop was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for his violations.

His defense lawyer, John Weate, argued that Bishop had found work as a roofer in Merseyside and moved to Waterpark Road after his release. He also explained that during the pandemic, due to restrictions and landlord concerns, Bishop moved in with his partner, although he admitted this was not an excuse for his breaches. Weate highlighted that there were no children under the relevant age at the address when Bishop moved in and that Bishop had not disclosed his criminal history to his partner, fearing she might end the relationship.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected the seriousness of Bishop’s breaches and the ongoing need to safeguard vulnerable children from individuals with a history of sexual offenses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of compliance with legal restrictions designed to prevent further harm.