CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER SENT TO JAIL AFTER 'DELIBERATE' BREACH OF COURT ORDER
A CONVICTED sex offender has been given a five-year extended prison sentence for a “flagrant and deliberate breach” of the court order designed to protect children from him.Simon Williams, 42, befriended families with under-age girls, giving the youngsters treats, sweets and takeaway meals, Bradford Crown Court heard.
He was also caught with indecent images of children on his phone as well as snaps of some of the girls that he was prohibited from taking by a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) made in Northern Ireland in January, 2019.
Williams, of Broadstone Way, Holme Wood, Bradford, pleaded guilty to breaching the order by having contact with children under 16 when their parents had no knowledge of his past conviction.
He also admitted possession of indecent images of children at Category A, B and C.
Prosecutor Jeremy Hill-Baker said Williams had deleted images of children from his phone in contravention of the SOPO.
When questioned by the police, he denied ever meeting any of them.
Williams’ barrister, Rodney Ferm, conceded that it was a persistent breach of the order.
“I can’t argue against there being a risk to others by his behaviour,” he said.
But Mr Ferm stressed that the breaches “didn’t lead anywhere.” “There were no direct victims,” he said.
Williams had left Northern Ireland after the conviction for which he received a three-year probation order.
He had felt isolated in Bradford and was desperate not to go back to prison.
The court heard that he was at first remanded in custody but he had been bailed on an electronically monitored curfew.
Recorder Taryn Turner passed an extended sentence of five years.
The custodial term was 27 months with a licence period of two years and nine months.
“This was a flagrant and deliberate breach,” she said, involving Williams having contact with young girls and giving them treats.
After the case, Detective Inspector Lee Speight, of Bradford District Police, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Williams at court today for the possession of a large quantity of indecent images.
“The sentence also reflects his breach of a previous sexual offences prevention order and demonstrates that those who violate such orders can expect to face the consequences.
“We hope this sentence will serve as a warning to others that any offences of this nature are taken very seriously within West Yorkshire.
“Anyone caught facilitating the abuse of children or looking at indecent images of anyone under the age of 18 will not only be put on the sex offenders register but can expect to face consequences which may impact significantly on their life.”
