ROBERT JEFFREY FROM STROUD ALLOWED BACK ONLINE AFTER SEX OFFENDER SENTENCE

In a significant development at Gloucester Crown Court, Robert Jeffrey, a known sex offender from Stroud, has been granted permission to access the internet again after serving a prison sentence for grooming a teenage girl. Jeffrey, who resides at Archway Gardens in Stroud, had previously been subject to a strict sexual offences prevention order that prohibited him from using the internet in any capacity.

Jeffrey's legal team, led by solicitor Sabhia Pathan, argued that societal and technological changes over the past five years necessitated a revision of his restrictions. The primary goal was to enable Jeffrey to search for employment opportunities online, which is a vital aspect of reintegration into society. The court considered this request and, with the agreement of the prosecution, decided to modify the existing order, provided Jeffrey adheres to strict conditions.

Recorder Stephen Hall approved the application, allowing Jeffrey limited internet access under specific restrictions. The new order mandates that Jeffrey can only use computers equipped with the capacity to record and display his internet activity history, which must be available for police inspection at any time. He is explicitly prohibited from deleting any data from his devices or making contact with any females under the age of 18. Furthermore, Jeffrey is not permitted to possess any digital storage devices containing images unless they are also accessible for police review.

Additional conditions include restrictions on personal contact with minors. Jeffrey is only allowed to encounter girls under 18 inadvertently in daily life or with the explicit permission of their parents or guardians, who must be informed of his criminal record. The order emphasizes that Jeffrey must not have unsupervised contact with minors and must avoid any online interactions that could lead to contact with underage females.

Jeffrey's criminal history dates back to 2005 when he appeared before Gloucester Crown Court. Initially, he received a community order after attempting to groom a 16-year-old girl who had set a trap for him by pretending to be 13. The girl’s actions led to Jeffrey admitting his sexual motives, which prompted her to call the police. Despite this, Jeffrey continued to breach the terms of his community order, persistently trying to contact young girls via the internet.

In 2007, the court revoked his community order and sentenced him to three years in prison. Judge Jamie Tabor QC described Jeffrey as “a determined and unreformed sex offender with a predatory attitude to young women,” reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed his ongoing behavior and the risks he posed to society.