KRISTOFFER ROUND'S CRIMINAL REIGN IN WORCESTER: SEX OFFENDER'S REPEATED BREACHES AND ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

In a series of disturbing incidents that have shocked the community of Worcester, Kristoffer Round, a known sex offender, has repeatedly defied court orders and engaged in illegal activities that have raised serious concerns about public safety and his compliance with legal restrictions.

Back in July 2017, Round was sentenced to serve time in prison after he was found guilty of breaching a suspended sentence order. The court had previously imposed this sentence because Round had violated a sexual harm prevention order by swimming in a pool at Pershore Leisure Centre in March of that year, an act that was strictly prohibited under his legal restrictions. The breach was particularly alarming given the context of his previous violations and the nature of his offences.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright, presiding over Worcester Crown Court, sentenced Round to six months in prison, suspended for two years. During the sentencing, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the breach, warning Round that the court’s orders had “teeth” and that failure to comply could result in immediate imprisonment. This warning was not heeded, as Round’s subsequent actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court’s directives.

At the time, 38-year-old Round was residing at Braley House, an approved premises in Worcester, which was designated to help him reintegrate into society under supervision. However, he was evicted from the facility after failing to adhere to its rules, which constituted a breach of his suspended sentence conditions that mandated residence at the hostel. His violations did not stop there.

Since February 2013, Round has been subject to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his interactions with minors. The order explicitly prohibits him from having any contact with children under 16 unless such contact is unavoidable in daily life. Despite these restrictions, Round’s conduct continued to raise alarms.

Prosecutor Colin Banham revealed that in May, Round tested positive for alcohol and drugs, further breaching the curfew requirement that was part of his legal restrictions. Additionally, he was involved in a physical altercation with another resident away from the premises, indicating ongoing behavioral issues and a failure to comply with the conditions set by the court.

Defense attorney Grace Wright argued that the environment at the approved premises was problematic, with other residents reportedly using drugs and alcohol. She also highlighted that Round had been living on a farm at Hadzor, near Droitwich, in a caravan, seeking a more isolated environment to help manage his mental health issues, which include anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Wright suggested that living alone would help Round avoid negative influences and aid in his rehabilitation.

She further claimed that Round believed his drink had been spiked with Black Mamba, a potent synthetic drug, due to the environment he was living in. The judge, however, reminded Round of his previous failures to comply with notification requirements and his repeated breaches of the sexual harm prevention order, including violations in 2016. The court had previously warned him that breaching the order could activate his suspended sentence, which ultimately happened.

In April 2017, Round was again in the spotlight for breaching a court order by swimming in a pool at Pershore Leisure Centre while children were present. This incident led to his appearance before Worcester Crown Court, where he admitted to the breach. The order, in place since February 24, 2013, explicitly forbade him from having contact with children under 16 unless unavoidable. Despite this, Round joined the gym on March 9, 2017, and used the swimming pool during hours when children were present, claiming he wanted to learn to swim.

Prosecutor Michael Conry stated that Round had completed a gym induction and purchased swimming trunks, which indicated his intent to use the facilities despite the restrictions. His residence at the time was listed as no fixed abode, and he had prior convictions for possession of indecent images of children, further underscoring his criminal background.

Adding to his troubling history, in July 2011, Round was involved in an incident related to the possession of extreme pornography, including images involving animals and children. He was convicted of downloading child and animal pornography and was subsequently banned from using the internet without police approval for five years. The court also imposed a three-year community order, requiring him to complete a sex offender group program and undertake alcohol treatment. A sexual offences prevention order was issued, and he was mandated to register as a sex offender for the same period.

The offences came to light after his ex-partner reported concerning images on his computer, leading to police investigation. When arrested on October 4 of the previous year, authorities seized his iPod and pawned laptop, discovering access to Eastern European websites featuring child and animal pornography. The images included 42 depicting a sexual interest in children, with only five being unlawful. Round claimed he had found the images while browsing adult porn sites and was intoxicated at the time.

Judge Christopher Plunkett acknowledged that Round had recognized the gravity of his actions and that, although some might argue for custody, it was in the public interest to supervise him through probation. As part of his sentence, Round was also banned for five years from possessing any equipment capable of internet access unless he notified the police, aiming to prevent further violations and protect the community from potential harm.