KEANNU ROUSE OF WORKSOP SENTENCED FOR BREACHING ORDER AND ONLINE OFFENCES

In June 2021, a Worksop man named Keannu Rouse was involved in disturbing online behaviour linked to his previous convictions. Rouse, who was previously jailed in August 2016 for sexually assaulting two underage boys and possessing child pornography, was banned from accessing the internet without police supervision. Despite this, he was found to have secretly used a laptop in breach of court orders.

Prosecutor Lauren Pitman explained that Rouse failed to disclose his possession of a laptop during an interview on May 28 last year. Between May 11 and 30, he installed the gay social media app Grindr 24 times, contravening his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Rouse engaged in 'sexualised chat' with an individual he met through the app, who was also a sex offender. This conversation prompted the other man to alert authorities. As a result, officers from the Sexual or Violent Offender Management Unit (MOSOVO) visited Rouse’s home and arrested him on June 7 on suspicion of facilitating a sexual offence. However, they discovered that Rouse had deleted the app after using it, and thus, no record of the conversations remained.

During questioning, Rouse admitted that he communicated with the other man while his partner was at work, using adult pornography as a means to 'get off.' He stated that their discussions 'was never going to happen' and insisted he was no longer physically interested in children.

Defense lawyer Digby Johnson highlighted that Rouse was released from a 33-month prison sentence in November 2017 and had shown good engagement with probation services. However, he noted that in early summer 2020, Rouse's behavior became inappropriate and concerning, describing it as an aberration. Johnson commented, 'He burns himself three times — by committing the offence, by covering it up, and then by being so frank with police officers. He got carried away, and it came to light very quickly. That’s the best indication to him that the only way he can stay safe is to stay within the boundaries.'

On March 5, Rouse, aged 26 and residing in Colsterdale, Worksop, pleaded guilty to breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. During his sentencing on Friday, Judge Stuart Rafferty QC criticized his lack of remorse and understanding of the gravity of his actions. The judge stated, 'It’s clear from these proceedings that you did not learn your lesson. People who abuse children are among the worst offenders there are. Children deserve a chance to be happy. I find it extraordinary you had the gall to tell the probation officer you were feeling sad and isolated at the time.'

Rouse was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Additionally, he received a two-year community order that includes 40 days of rehabilitation activities and participation in a sex offenders' program. The judge warned, 'Police will no doubt be keeping a closer eye on you. You will be made to confront yourself and the person you really are. It is sometimes said, once a paedophile always a paedophile. We will find out.'