RUSSELL WILKINSON FROM BARROWFORD CAUGHT AT BURNLEY LIBRARY TRYING TO ACCESS INTERNET DESPITE SEX OFFENDER BAN

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring and control of convicted sex offenders, Russell Wilkinson, a 37-year-old man from Barrowford, was caught attempting to access the internet at Burnley library, despite being under strict legal restrictions. The incident occurred in April 2013, when Wilkinson was about to use a library computer, only to be stopped by staff who recognized him and discovered that he had a warning marker on the library database indicating his status as a convicted sex offender.

Wilkinson’s criminal history is extensive and troubling. He was convicted in 2008 on six counts of making indecent images of teenage boys. As part of his sentence, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which banned him from owning, possessing, or using a computer or mobile device with internet access unless explicitly authorized and under police supervision. This order was intended to prevent him from reoffending and to protect the public from potential harm.

Despite these restrictions, Wilkinson repeatedly violated the terms of his SOPO. In 2010, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being caught using a public internet café in Brierfield to access indecent images again. Following this, he admitted to an additional 14 charges related to making indecent images of children. His breaches of the order and continued offending demonstrated a blatant disregard for the legal restrictions placed upon him.

At the time of the Burnley library incident, Wilkinson was on license from an 18-month prison sentence for breaching the SOPO. He was also prohibited from associating with children under 18, yet he had been seen engaging with young people at an evangelical church, where he had been taken under the wing of church members. The court heard that Wilkinson had recently been volunteering at Open Door, a local drop-in centre, after being introduced by his church pastor.

On the day of the incident, Wilkinson was accompanied by a 52-year-old man described as vulnerable and having learning difficulties. Wilkinson explained to a library assistant that he was helping his friend choose music, claiming that his friend did not know what to do. As he was about to use the internet, staff intervened, recognizing his name and the warning marker on their database. Police were called, and Wilkinson was arrested on the spot.

During police interviews, Wilkinson insisted that his intended use of the computer was innocent, claiming he merely wanted to transfer music tracks onto a memory card for his friend. However, his history of non-compliance with the sex offenders’ register and previous breaches of the SOPO led to serious concerns about his intentions.

Wilkinson’s criminal record also includes a previous conviction for breaching the SOPO, which resulted in magistrates committing him to the Crown Court for sentencing. He had previously worked at McDonald’s and was formerly residing in Barrowford before moving to Fir Street, Nelson.

In court, Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced Wilkinson to 12 months in prison. The judge emphasized the importance of the SOPO in safeguarding the public, describing Wilkinson as “cunning” and highlighting the risks posed by his repeated violations. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring sex offenders and preventing reoffending, especially when individuals like Wilkinson attempt to circumvent restrictions designed to protect vulnerable members of society.