DOG-WALKING MIDDLESBROUGH SEX OFFENDER BACK IN COURT
A convicted sex offender has landed himself back in court for speaking to some children as he walked past with his dog.Peter Scoins was convicted in 2006 of 17 sexual offences and was jailed for 15 years, Teesside Crown Court heard on Monday (November 10).
Once the 67-year-old was released from custody he was made subject of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) requiring him to inform people of his past if he was to form a relationship with them.
Judge Jo Kidd raised a query about the need for prosecution as the Scoins was never alone with the children, and was going about his lawful business.
Outlining the prosecution case, Ian Windridge said concerns were raised about Scoins in July when the neighbour learned of his past via a social media post.
"There’s nothing to stop him walking along the road, it’s the level of the communication with the children," he said.
"As Mr Scoins indicated in his basis of plea, the parent was always there.
It is a breach by not letting the parents know his background to what he actually did.
Over two years, Mr Scoins on a number of occasions has said hello to the children, always while the mother was there, but the concern is she was not aware.
Matters became known to her in July this year through social media.
Scoins, of Brunswick Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Kidd sentenced Scoins to a 12-month community order with 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days attached.
She said: “You were actually passing the front of a house, as you are lawfully entitled to do, as you went about your normal daily business.
"Of course, given your background, it is important that you are mindful of the presence of children, even when they are in a different house setting and clearly out in public areas."
