AARON WHITMAN SENT BACK TO PRISON FOR BREACHES IN COLCHESTER AND WEST BERGHOLT
Aaron Whitman, a convicted sex offender with a troubling history linked to the Essex area, has been sentenced to additional time behind bars following violations of previously imposed court orders.Whitman’s latest imprisonment stems from breaches of his sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements, despite having served a prior prison sentence for similar misconduct.
Several years ago, Whitman, now aged 31, was convicted of attempting to entice a vulnerable 15-year-old girl into engaging in sexual activity through Facebook.
He had previously gained knowledge of her social care records during his tenure at Essex County Council, which he exploited to target her.
This illegal act led to a 16-month jail sentence after he was found guilty of inciting a child to engage in sexual acts and misconduct in public office.
As part of his court punishment, Whitman was also subjected to specialized notification rules and a strict ten-year sexual harm prevention order aimed at restricting his interactions with minors.
Despite these clear legal restrictions, Whitman’s conduct in the following years appeared to challenge the court’s authority.
It emerged during proceedings at Chelmsford Crown Court that last year, Whitman engaged in multiple instances of unsupervised contact with a girl whose mother was initially unaware of his criminal record.
The court was informed that although his behavior towards the girl was not inappropriate, his contact with her was nonetheless prohibited by the court’s orders.
His breaches did not involve harmful conduct towards her, but the violations of the legal restrictions were taken seriously.
Further violations included Whitman opening a new bank account and spending approximately 30 nights away from his residence on Pirie Road in West Bergholt — actions he failed to report to law enforcement authorities, as required.
These breaches demonstrated a disregard for the conditions set by the court and the safety protocols meant to protect minors from potential harm.
When the court addressed these breaches, Whitman pleaded guilty to violating his sexual harm prevention order and failing to adhere to notification rules.
The judge overseeing the case, Timothy Walker, responded by sentencing him to an additional year in prison during the hearing held at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Recognizing the seriousness of the violation, Judge Walker emphasized the importance of compliance with court orders designed to prevent harm.
During his sentencing, the judge reminded Whitman that he had been fully informed about the consequences of breaching the order.
“You would have been told any breach of this order would likely result in your return to custody,” Judge Walker stated.
Legal representative Barry Gilbert, who argued on Whitman’s behalf, urged the court to show leniency, asserting that no children had been directly harmed during these breaches.
Gilbert pointed out, “However unpleasant this all is, in four years, there has been one breach.
There has never been any danger for a child, which is what these orders are put in place for.” As a result of his latest violations, Whitman’s sexual harm prevention order will be extended for an additional ten years, emphasizing the ongoing restrictions and monitoring aimed at safeguarding the community.
His repeated breaches highlight the persistent challenge of managing individuals with offensive histories and the importance of strict enforcement of court mandates in the Colchester and West Bergholt areas.
