MICHAEL JONES FROM TY GWYN JAILED IN MOULD FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER

In May 2019, Michael Andrew Jones, a 49-year-old sex offender from Ty Gwyn, was sentenced to imprisonment after repeatedly neglecting his legal obligation to register his whereabouts with the police. The case was heard at Mold Crown Court, where it was revealed that Jones had told authorities in Mold that he was of no fixed abode, a status that requires regular re-registration to keep authorities informed of his location.

Under Welsh law, individuals with no fixed address are mandated to re-register their homelessness status within seven days of any change or confirmation of their living situation. Failure to do so results in the need to register a new address, which is a critical part of monitoring sex offenders and ensuring community safety. However, the court was informed that Jones, who had been staying on a friend’s sofa, failed to update his registration with the police to reflect his current living arrangements.

Deputy District Judge Chris Johnson, who was aware of Jones’s previous breaches of registration requirements, sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison. This sentence followed Jones’s admission to failing to register his whereabouts between February 20 and May 2, as well as breaching the conditions of his post-release supervision. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the breach, stating, “It is by no means the first time that you have failed to sign on as you are required to do.”

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson highlighted that Jones was under a registration obligation due to a conviction for a serious sexual offence in 1998. Despite registering in February at Mold, claiming he was of no fixed abode, Jones did not re-register within the required seven-day period. During police interviews, Jones explained that he was dealing with health, drug, and alcohol issues, and that he was unaware of the need to re-register as homeless on a weekly basis. He admitted to not remembering registering himself as homeless and claimed that his intoxication and mental state contributed to his oversight.

Jones also revealed that he struggled with memory issues, was often intoxicated, and sought assistance for his substance abuse problems but was barred from services due to his temper. The court was informed that Jones had a history of breaching registration requirements in 2001, 2003, 2014, and again in the previous year. After his release from prison, he was directed to stay at the Ty Gwyn hostel, which was severely overcrowded, with only six beds available for ten people. When he was unable to secure a place there, he was placed on a friend’s sofa, which led to further breaches of his registration obligations.

Jones expressed a desire for help and acknowledged his failure to comply, citing a lack of community resources and suitable accommodation options as significant barriers. His legal representative, Mr. Matthews, argued that the limited availability of support and housing in the area contributed to his client’s difficulties. “He accepts he has not complied but he would say that he has tried his best,” Mr. Matthews stated. The court’s decision reflected the ongoing challenges faced by individuals like Jones, caught in a cycle of homelessness and legal obligations, and underscored the importance of community support systems in managing such cases.