ROGER WESTWOOD FROM COBRIDGE SENTENCED AFTER INTERNET BREACHES AND CHILD RELATIONSHIPS

In a case that has once again highlighted the dangers posed by convicted sex offenders, Roger Westwood, a resident of Cobridge, has been found guilty of breaching court orders related to his previous criminal activities and internet use.

Westwood, aged 44, was previously convicted in 2004 for the heinous crime of raping a child under the age of 16. His sentence at that time resulted in a six-year imprisonment term, after which he was placed on the sex offenders' register for life. This registration mandated him to inform police of his whereabouts annually, a requirement he was supposed to fulfill diligently.

However, in 2010, Westwood was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) due to his continued inappropriate online behavior. The order was intended to restrict his ability to form relationships with females who had children, especially through internet platforms. Despite these restrictions, Westwood failed to adhere to the rules, notably missing his scheduled registration on the sex offenders' register by three days, which prompted police intervention.

Further investigation revealed that police officers, during a routine check, found evidence on two of Westwood's mobile phones indicating he had visited pornographic websites. Additionally, they uncovered that he had established an online relationship with a woman residing in the Philippines, who had a 10-year-old sister. This relationship was formed despite the restrictions imposed by the SOPO, raising serious concerns about his compliance and intentions.

On March 5, police officers executed a search at Westwood's residence on Shelton Street. During the search, officers examined his internet devices and discovered search histories containing terms such as 'teen' and 'young,' which suggested he was seeking inappropriate content. Westwood admitted to viewing adult pornography but denied any malicious intent. When questioned about a telephone number based in the Philippines, he claimed it was for a chat line. He also handed over a second mobile phone, claiming that a woman he met online, aged 20, was his girlfriend and that she lived in the Philippines with her younger sister.

Further scrutiny revealed that Westwood had been deleting messages from WhatsApp, possibly to conceal his activities. During police interviews, he acknowledged that he had registered late with the authorities and understood the restrictions imposed by the SOPO. He admitted to breaching the order and failing to comply with the annual notification requirements.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Westwood pleaded guilty to the charges of failing to update his details on the sex offenders' register and breaching the SOPO. Judge Paul Glenn sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years, along with a requirement to participate in 40 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he was fined £200 for the notification failure and ordered to pay £800 in court costs.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring convicted offenders and the importance of strict compliance with court orders designed to protect vulnerable individuals from potential harm.