MICHAEL EDDY FROM DENBIGH CONVICTED OF SEX OFFENCE AND FAILING TO REGISTER AFTER LIVING WITH FAMILY

In April 2018, a troubling case emerged involving Michael Eddy, a man with a dark past, who managed to move into a residence in Denbigh without revealing his previous convictions or registering his address with the authorities. Eddy, aged 43, had a history that included a conviction for sexual activity with a minor, which cast a long shadow over his recent actions.

Michael Eddy, originally from Stockton on Tees, had been convicted in 2011 of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 15. During that period, he was employed as a school bus driver, a role that brought him into contact with children. The court records indicated that Eddy had sexually touched the girl over her clothing and attempted to kiss her after exchanging messages. Following this conviction, he was legally required to register as a sex offender with the police, a stipulation that was part of his sentence.

Further legal restrictions were placed on Eddy in January 2014 when a sexual harm prevention order was issued, lasting until January 2019. This order mandated that he remain on the sex offender register and comply with all related requirements. Despite these legal obligations, Eddy failed to adhere to the rules, including a breach of notification requirements in the past, which resulted in him serving a 12-month jail sentence in 2013.

In August of the previous year, Eddy entered into a relationship with a woman from Denbigh. Their relationship progressed, and by December, Eddy accompanied her to visit a relative’s house, where young children were present. During this visit, Eddy’s presence was noted, but there was no evidence of any inappropriate conduct during that time. The woman confirmed that Eddy was never left alone with the children, and there was no suggestion of any misconduct.

Subsequently, Eddy expressed a desire to move in with his partner. She agreed to let him stay at her residence, but Eddy failed to inform the police of his new address, which was a violation of his legal obligations. This was particularly concerning given the presence of children in the household. Despite the breach, there was no evidence to suggest that Eddy engaged in any harmful activity during this period. However, his failure to register the address was a serious breach of the law.

Authorities had initially bailed Eddy to his mother’s address in Stockton on Tees. However, he did not remain there and failed to register as homeless when he lived rough for a couple of days. When he realized the situation, Eddy took the responsible step of surrendering himself to the police, leading to his appearance in court in custody.

Throughout the proceedings, Eddy admitted to three breaches of the sex register requirements. His legal counsel, Simon Killeen, acknowledged that a custodial sentence was inevitable, especially considering Eddy’s history of 25 previous offences, including a prior breach of the sex offender register. Killeen also pointed out that Eddy’s new partner was unaware of his past, which could be considered an aggravating factor.

Judge Mr. Recorder Gregg Bull QC emphasized the importance of the strict legal requirements designed to protect children and the public. While he accepted that Eddy’s relationship was not aimed at targeting children, he highlighted that this was Eddy’s second breach of a court order. The judge underscored that the restrictions are stringent and serve a vital purpose in tracking sexual offenders and preventing further harm. Ultimately, Eddy was sentenced to a year in prison for his breaches, reaffirming the court’s stance on the importance of compliance with these protective measures.