WEST CUMBRIAN SEX OFFENDER FINED FOR MISSING POLICE CHECK-IN
A convicted West Cumbrian sex offender who became homeless has been prosecuted because he failed to check in as required at Carlisle’s Durranhill Police Station.Lawrence Wilson, 36, did not attend his scheduled visit, claiming he believed he was due to check in the following day, according to his defence lawyer in court.
He admitted a single charge of failing to meet the conditions of his Sex Offender Registration.
Prosecutor George Shelley established the facts, noting that Wilson’s criminal record includes 223 previous offences, and his last court appearance was on April 19 for downloading indecent images of children.
Wilson was placed on the Sex Offender Register for five years.
On April 25, he informed police that he was homeless and had no fixed address, with his most recent address listed as Queen Street, Whitehaven.
He was legally obliged to re-notify his designated police station every seven days, but on May 2, he failed to do so.
That same day, he was seen in the waiting room at Carlisle Railway Station.
Six days earlier, his offender manager had explained his registration requirements while he was homeless.
During police interview, Wilson stated he believed he had complied with the requirements.
His lawyer argued the offence was of the lowest seriousness, as he missed the police station by just one day, emphasizing his homelessness as a factor causing confusion.
Magistrates accepted this argument and imposed a fine of £200, with £85 costs and a victim surcharge.
Wilson was reminded that he remains subject to the Sex Offender Register.
