SWINDON SEX OFFENDER ALEX SMITH BREACHES COURT ORDER IN SHOCKING CASE
In a recent development in Swindon, a convicted sex offender named Alex Smith, formerly known as Matthew Burren, faced legal proceedings after admitting to breaching the strict terms of her sexual harm prevention order.The case highlights the ongoing challenges and legal measures taken to monitor and control individuals with a history of sexual offenses involving minors.
On Tuesday, Smith appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court to answer charges related to her failure to comply with the conditions set out in her court-mandated order.
The 28-year-old, residing at Beaulieu Close, Toothill, pleaded guilty to a single breach that occurred on March 1, specifically for not disclosing a device that was supposed to be available for inspection by her offender manager.
This breach was considered serious enough to warrant a transfer of the case to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing, with a pre-sentence report ordered to assist the judge in determining the appropriate penalty.
Smith’s history with the law is extensive and deeply troubling.
She was initially given a sexual harm prevention order in 2015 after being caught with prohibited images of children for the second time.
She also admitted to being in contact with minors online, which is strictly forbidden under her court orders.
Her criminal record reveals that, as a 12-year-old, she was convicted of a heinous sexual attack on a five-year-old boy.
Further, in 2011, she was given a community order after being found with sexualized drawings of children, indicating a pattern of concerning behavior from a young age.
In October 2019, additional details emerged during her court appearance, revealing that Smith had bookmarked pornographic websites on her PlayStation 4 console.
Despite the court’s restrictions, she was found to have attempted to access the internet in incognito mode, which is designed to hide browsing activity.
When police officers visited her home, they discovered the console but found no saved browsing history.
However, they did find a number of bookmarked websites containing illegal content, suggesting that she had either deleted her browsing history or used software to conceal her activity.
Smith admitted to viewing pornographic material but claimed she was unsure whether the images were illegal.
Her history of offenses is compounded by her past as a juvenile.
She served time for a sexual assault on a five-year-old boy when she was just 12.
Her criminal record also includes a 2011 community order for possessing sexualized drawings of children.
Despite these serious offenses, she has repeatedly avoided jail time, although her court appearances have consistently emphasized the gravity of her actions and the ongoing risk she poses.
During her latest hearing, magistrates sentenced her to a two-year community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
She was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £85 and a victim surcharge of £90.
The chairman of the bench, Hatty Stafford-Charles, emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “You now certainly know a bit of deleting because you’ve run out of room is not acceptable and the police are going to bring you back if you breach the order again.” Her case underscores the persistent difficulties faced by authorities in managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those with complex mental health issues and a history of non-compliance.
The court’s decision to impose community-based sanctions rather than immediate imprisonment reflects a focus on rehabilitation, but also a recognition of the ongoing threat posed by Smith.
The case continues to be closely watched as it unfolds in Swindon, highlighting the importance of vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm.
