LEE FROM LISKEARD CAUGHT IN CORNWALL SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL AFTER FATHERING CHILD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, a man named Lee, originally from Exeter but now with no fixed address, has been sentenced to prison after a series of serious breaches related to his status as a convicted sex offender. The incident unfolded in Cornwall, where Lee had established a relationship with a single mother, leading to the birth of their child and a web of deception that only unraveled months later.

Lee met the woman through an online dating platform in August 2018. Soon after, he began staying at her residence in Cornwall, where she lived with her daughter. Within just a few weeks, she became pregnant, and their son was born in May 2019. Throughout this period, she remained unaware of Lee’s criminal past, which included serving time for sexual offenses involving minors. It was only after the birth of their child that she discovered the truth about his convictions.

During their relationship, Lee, aged 37, fabricated a series of falsehoods and half-truths to conceal his background. He claimed that he had no permanent residence because his self-build project in Newton Abbot had fallen through. He eventually disclosed his criminal history, but his explanations were misleading. He insisted that he had taken the blame for an offense committed by his brother and falsely claimed that he had engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl who had lied about her age. Both of these stories were proven to be untrue.

Despite his criminal record, Lee behaved as a stepfather to her daughter, taking her to and from school. However, this was in direct violation of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that prohibited him from being within 100 metres of any school. Additionally, he lied to police authorities to hide the fact that he was living in a household with a child, which was also forbidden under the terms of his SOPO.

Lee, who worked as a cook, was required to sign the sex offenders register weekly at a police station in Torquay, claiming he was homeless during these visits. His former partner eventually confided in her parents about her suspicions, which led to his arrest in December of the previous year. In her victim impact statement, she expressed feelings of foolishness and regret, acknowledging that his actions had profoundly affected her and would continue to do so for many years.

Originally from Exeter, Lee’s current whereabouts are listed as no fixed address. He admitted to breaching both the SOPO and the terms of the sex offenders register. At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Timothy Rose sentenced him to two years in prison. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his offenses, stating, “These offences were completely intertwined because you used the breach of the register to cover up the breach of the SOPO. You started a relationship, which you were perfectly entitled to do, but you knew she had a daughter and you were restricted from any contact with a female child under 16.”

He further explained, “You were hiding your relationship from the authorities precisely because you did not want the police to turn up. You were going to the police station every week and pretending to have no fixed abode. Every time, you were misleading the police to avoid the risk of your breach of the SOPO being discovered. These are very serious matters.”

Prosecutor Mr. Joss Ticehurst highlighted that Lee had been on the sex offenders register for life since 2007, following a three-year sentence at Exeter Crown Court for sexual activity with a child. His criminal history includes five previous convictions related to violations of the SOPO or failure to comply with the register. The case underscores the ongoing risks posed by individuals with such criminal backgrounds, especially when they attempt to conceal their pasts and establish new relationships without disclosure.