SEX OFFENDER SHAUN ROBERTS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR STALKING AND FAILING TO REGISTER
A sex offender who couldn't cope with the break up of a short-lived relationship went on a stalking campaign and made his ex's life a misery, a court heard.Shaun Roberts was only in a relationship with his ex for a few months earlier this year but when she ended it with him, the 36-year-old started bombarding her with dozens of unwanted messages on multiple social media platforms and even sent a friend request on Facebook to her young son.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court was told how on one occasion the convicted sex offender sent his ex partner 42 voice messages before 9am which she missed because she had been asleep.
Some of these emotional blackmail messages included threats that he would kill himself, particularly during a period when she had suffered a bereavement and was emotionally distressed.
The court heard that between July and September this year, Roberts, from Higher Bore Street in Bodmin, was recalled to prison for failing to disclose his new address to Devon and Cornwall Police as required by the sex offenders register but continued to send abusive and obscene messages to both his ex and her new partner.
He warned them that he would "ruin them both" and threatened to inflict violence.
In early September, while out of prison, Roberts again failed to notify the police of his new address within three days, violating Section 80 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
He was arrested and pleaded guilty to one count of stalking involving fear of violence and breach of sex offenders register requirements.
His ex-partner's victim impact statement expressed her feelings of being "constantly on edge" and afraid he might come to her home.
The court noted Roberts' 22 convictions for 47 offenses, including breaches of sex offender register requirements and stalking.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to serve 40%, and a five-year restraining order was imposed.
A judge emphasized Roberts' continued harassment even after he was told the relationship was over, leading to her feeling unsafe and anxious.
