June 2006 Paedophile targeted church visit children A SEX offender banned from having contact with youngsters made gestures to two children while in church, a court heard. Paedophile Alan Cox, 67, was being supervised when he was seen winking at a four-year-old girl. The bearded child molester went on to press a 20p coin into the hand of a boy aged five after a faith lunch at the church, Leeds Crown Court was told. Cox had been jailed for four years in February, 2004, at Southampton Crown Court. His sentence was later reduced to 30 months by the Court of Appeal. After his release in November, last year, he went to live in a hostel in Peterson Road, Wakefield, and was subjected to an enhanced supervision order. But he breached the order – which banned him from having any contact with children under 16 – by his actions. One of his ‘minders’ noticed what had gone on and police were brought in. Cox admitted twice breaching strict early release conditions imposed on him and was locked up for three years. The court heard during his life he had notched up 28 convictions covering 49 offences, 21 of which involved sex offences on children. Philip Adams, prosecuting, said Cox was first made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order by Aldershot Magistrates Court in December, 2003. He breached his conditions when he approached and spoke to a group of children in the street. After he was released last November he was subjected to an enhanced supervision order while living in West Yorkshire – but again did not comply with the terms. Mr Adams told how, after the church meal, Cox’s group was leaving when he took the opportunity to approach the boy. “He bent down and placed a 20p piece in the palm of the boy’s hand,” he said. “When challenged by his escort, who was concerned about his behaviour, he said he was given things when he was a child.” When interviewed in Armley Jail, Leeds, Cox told officers it was a “spur of the moment” action. He denied any sexual connotation was involved. Timothy Stead, for Cox, said: “This is a man with long-standing and deep-seated problems. He has a personality disorder characterised by his impulsive behaviour and lack of self control.” Judge Kerry McGill told Cox he had an appalling record and was a danger to children. “You said there was no sexual motive, but I have the gravest doubts,” he said.