LIAM PARRY, THE BUCKLEY SEX OFFENDER, JAILED AFTER INVOLVEMENT WITH NORTH WALES RUGBY CLUB

In July 2019, Liam Parry, a man originally from Buckley, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after a series of breaches related to his status as a convicted sex offender. Parry, aged 38 and residing on Well Street in Buckley, had previously changed his name from Liam O’Grady through a deed poll, a move that was not initially known to authorities or the community.

His criminal history dates back to offences committed against a child he met at a karate club, which led to his being sentenced to five years in prison at York Crown Court in 2012. Following this conviction, he was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Despite these restrictions, Parry moved to North Wales, specifically the Mold area, after his sentencing in 2014. Unbeknownst to the Mold Rugby Club or its members, he became involved with the club, initially volunteering and assisting with training sessions and other activities. Over time, his involvement extended beyond mere volunteering; he participated actively in training, helped organize activities, and even went on away trips with the team.

Concerns arose when parents of children involved in the club became suspicious after discovering Parry’s previous identity and criminal background. This prompted an investigation, which revealed that Parry had breached his SOPO by participating in activities at the rugby club between January 2015 and August 2017, despite being explicitly prohibited from doing so under the court’s order issued in January 2012.

During the court proceedings at Caernarfon Crown Court, the prosecution outlined that Parry had also failed to comply with notification requirements. In 2017, he neglected to inform police about obtaining a new passport and his travel to Gran Canaria during the summers of 2017 and 2018, which he undertook with his family. These trips were made without notifying authorities, breaching the conditions of his sex offender registration.

He also faced charges for not notifying police about staying at Haven Holiday Park in Scarborough with his family in March 2018, and for not informing authorities that a child had stayed at his home in November of the previous year. However, these additional charges were not pursued and remained on the case file.

Prosecutor Matthew Curtis explained that Parry had deliberately changed his name and relocated to North Wales to evade detection, but he had become deeply involved with the local rugby club, far beyond the role of a casual spectator. His involvement included training, organizing activities, and participating in team trips, which raised concerns about his suitability given his criminal background.

Judge Huw Rees addressed the court, emphasizing that Parry was fully aware of the restrictions imposed on him and that his breaches were persistent and marked by a clear element of deceit. The judge ordered a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order to be imposed indefinitely, reinforcing the seriousness of his violations.

As Parry was led away to serve his sentence, he appeared visibly shocked, holding his head in his hands. The court’s decision underscored the importance of strict enforcement of restrictions on sex offenders, especially those involved in activities with children, such as youth rugby.

In a related case from June 2019, it was reported that Parry’s involvement in children’s rugby at Mold Rugby Club was carried out without the club’s knowledge of his background. The club was unaware that he was a registered sex offender, and his participation in training and mentoring roles was considered a breach of his legal obligations. Parry admitted to breaching his SOPO by participating in the club activities and failing to notify authorities about his travel plans and personal details, including his new passport.

During the court hearing, Judge Niclas Parry noted that Parry had become more than a mere spectator, actively engaging in training and organizing events. His defense lawyer, Simon Gurney, argued that Parry had not had any unsupervised contact with children while volunteering, and that police were aware of his name change.

Despite this, the judge warned Parry to prepare for a custodial sentence, and he was rebailed until his sentencing hearing scheduled for July 11. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about the oversight and management of sex offenders, especially those who attempt to reintegrate into community activities involving minors.