MARK BATES PINEHURST SEX OFFENDER FINED AFTER FAILING TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MISREPORTING RESIDENCE

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about compliance among registered sex offenders, Mark Bates of Hornbeam Court, Pinehurst, faced legal repercussions after failing to adhere to court-mandated community service and residence reporting requirements.

Back in January of the previous year, Bates was sentenced to perform 120 hours of unpaid community work following his admission to charges of criminal damage and failure to comply with the sex offender register. The court's intention was to reintegrate him into the community while ensuring he met his legal obligations. However, Bates completed only 25 hours and a quarter of his assigned community service before he ceased attending in April. This failure prompted the probation service to revoke the original order and bring him back before the court for further proceedings.

Despite this lapse, the court was informed that this was the sole instance of non-compliance on Bates's part. Consequently, at Swindon Crown Court, Judge Charles Wade imposed a fine of £75 on Bates and decided that the original community service order should remain in effect. The judge emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “You may feel complying with the register of sex offenders is not important, but it is. It is important you comply with it.”

Mark Bates, aged 32 at the time, has a criminal history that includes a conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl in May 2001, when he was 29. This conviction resulted in a ten-month prison sentence. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years, which required him to inform authorities of his current residence at all times.

However, issues arose when Bates was found not to be living at the address he had claimed in December 2002. On that occasion, he had visited his girlfriend’s home and during a late-night argument, damaged her front door and a mobile phone. Despite having a previous caution for failing to notify authorities of a change of address, Bates did not update his registration details as required.

Robin Shellard, representing Bates, argued that his client’s failure to complete the community service was not due to neglect but rather personal problems he was experiencing at the time. Shellard pointed out that Bates had completed the 25 hours in good time and without incident, expressing that his client was eager to fulfill his obligations.

The court’s decision to impose a fine and continue the existing order underscores the importance placed on compliance with legal requirements for sex offenders, especially regarding residence reporting and community service. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing responsibilities that individuals like Bates have to the community and the legal system.