STUART WARD, WORCESTER SEX OFFENDER, FAILED TO DISCLOSE PAST TO NEW PARTNER AND CHILDREN

In October 2010, Stuart Ward, a sex offender from Worcestershire, failed to inform his new partner and her two young children about his criminal history. Ward was previously sentenced to three years in prison in November 2004 for offenses involving a two-and-a-half-year-old girl. Despite this, he moved in with his new partner in Malvern in July of that year, living with her children aged six and one, without disclosing his past or informing authorities.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, explained: “By virtue of that conviction, for an indefinite period, he is to give details to the police of any address where he stays for more than seven days in 12 months. But he failed to register that address.” Mrs. Stock clarified that there was no suggestion Ward had abused the children.

The court was informed that Ward, aged 26, stayed with his partner and her children nightly from July 15 until September 6, when police and children’s services intervened. Throughout this period, his partner was unaware of his previous conviction. Ward, now residing on Charles Henry Road in Droitwich, admitted to failing to notify authorities of his address.

In his defense, Sam Lamsdale, Ward’s lawyer, stated that Ward had been living in Bridgewater, Somerset, with an ex-partner who later became pregnant with his child. “They notified children’s services, which insisted the couple live apart,” she explained. “Ward was granted supervised visits, but these became less frequent due to staffing shortages, and he grew extremely disheartened.”

Lamsdale added that Ward had found a new relationship with a woman he had known for years, with whom he spent every night. “He failed to notify the police because he believed he had done everything right in the past, which had not worked out. He was in a low state of mind.”

Currently, Ward works away from home but is actively cooperating with his offender manager. He is scheduled to be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, October 29.