KEGAN COLE BEEVERLEY SEX OFFENDER WHO ATTACKED TEEN GIRL IN BEVERLEY AND FAILED TO SIGN REGISTRY

In a case that has once again highlighted the dangers posed by convicted sex offenders, Kegan Cole, a 22-year-old man from Beverley, found himself in court after failing to comply with legal requirements following a serious conviction.

Back in October 2012, Cole was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor after grooming a schoolgirl through Facebook. As part of his sentence, he was handed a two-year community and supervision order, which mandated that he sign the sex offenders register annually at a police station so authorities could monitor his whereabouts.

However, Hull Crown Court heard that Cole did not fulfill this obligation on November 7 of the previous year at Beverley Police Station. Although he eventually signed the register nearly two weeks later, this delay was a breach of the court’s order. When questioned by police on December 31, Cole admitted to the breach, claiming he had simply 'forgotten' to sign.

Judge Mark Bury, presiding over the case, was quick to dismiss Cole’s explanation as a 'bare-faced lie.' The judge pointed out that Cole had been with his offender manager on November 7, who explicitly instructed him to report to the police station. Despite this, Cole failed to do so at the time.

Earlier, Cole had also breached his community order, prompting Judge Bury to give him 'one further chance' during a sentencing hearing in January. The court was made aware of Cole’s ongoing difficulties, with his defense lawyer, Geoff Ellis, describing him as a young man facing multiple challenges. Ellis explained that Cole was immature, lacked motivation, and was very fearful of being sent to prison. The defense also revealed that Cole had sought mental health support recently due to fears of a custodial sentence, and that he had been experiencing issues of self-harm and problems at home.

In light of these circumstances, Judge Bury sentenced Cole to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months. The judge issued a stern warning that if Cole appeared before him again, he would be jailed. He emphasized the importance of the legal requirement to notify the police of one’s whereabouts, stating, 'It’s a lawful requirement, which is in the public interest, that you notify the police of your whereabouts.'

Although Cole did eventually inform the police of his location within a few days, the court made it clear that this was not enough to avoid immediate imprisonment. The judge stressed that this was the second breach, and any future violations would result in jail time. Cole responded with a simple, 'Yes sir, I understand.' The judge concluded by warning him that any further breach of the order would lead to a prison sentence, making his message unmistakably clear.

Beyond the issue of failing to sign the register, Cole’s criminal history includes a disturbing incident from November 2011. He had lured a 15-year-old girl to Mudhill Park, near Wilberforce Crescent, close to St John’s Primary School, where he assaulted her. Cole had initially befriended the girl and her three friends just three weeks prior to the attack. The assault occurred one evening in the park, but the girl managed to escape by kicking Cole in the face before running away. Despite his pursuit, she was determined to distance herself from him.

The following day, Cole contacted the girl’s friend via Facebook, and she convinced him to confess to the assault. Cole did so, and the girl subsequently showed police his online confession. During the investigation, Cole claimed that his victim had 'done all the running.'

Judge Bury decided not to send Cole to prison for this attack at the time, noting that he had already served 12 months on remand. Nevertheless, the case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing risks associated with sex offenders who fail to adhere to legal restrictions and monitoring requirements, especially in a community like Beverley where such incidents have a profound impact on local residents and authorities alike.