ALISTAIR BARTLETT AND CHARLEY WARD: SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER MOVES FROM BARNSTAPLE TO EXETER

In a disturbing case that has sent ripples through the communities of Barnstaple and Exeter, a convicted sex offender has taken steps to conceal his identity and relocate, raising serious concerns about ongoing risks to the public. The individual, originally known as Alistair Bartlett, has legally changed his name to Charley Jay Ward and has now moved to Exeter, prompting questions about his intentions and the adequacy of monitoring measures.

Back in September 2016, Bartlett was involved in a heinous incident that led to his imprisonment. He was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl who had run away from her home to be with him. At the time, Bartlett was residing in supervised accommodation in Barnstaple, a town in North Devon, where he was under the watch of social services and authorities. Despite this supervision, he managed to repeatedly breach the rules, sneaking the young girl into his flat on two separate occasions, all while social workers were present and unaware of his actions.

The case revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that had begun years earlier. Bartlett had previously been monitored after he was caught groping a 12-year-old girl on a clifftop in East Devon while walking her home from school, an incident that occurred five years prior to his 2016 conviction. This earlier assault underscored the ongoing danger he posed to vulnerable children in the region.

The more recent criminal activity came to light when, in December of the previous year, a 13-year-old girl reached out to Bartlett via Facebook. She had posted a comment on a photograph he shared, which showed him shirtless after a gym session. After exchanging messages, Bartlett persuaded her to meet him at a Subway shop in Barnstaple. The meeting quickly escalated, and he convinced her to run away from her home and spend the night at his flat. That night, they engaged in sexual activity. The girl’s repeated attempts to see Bartlett continued, and five days later, she again ran away and managed to sneak into his flat once more, this time past a sleeping social worker.

The police intervention was triggered when officers arrived at Bartlett’s residence to search for the girl. During the search, they discovered her hiding in a bathroom cupboard, dressed only in her underwear and one of Bartlett’s shirts. The young girl’s vulnerability and the predatory nature of Bartlett’s actions were evident.

At Exeter Crown Court, Bartlett, then aged 22 and working as a dairy worker on Bear Street in Barnstaple, faced serious charges. He denied two counts of sexual activity with a child but was found guilty after a trial last month. Judge Erik Salomonsen sentenced him to a total of seven years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge remarked that the girl involved was a troubled child involved with social services and clearly at risk. He highlighted that Bartlett had used social media to target her, engaging in sexual acts at his sheltered accommodation and again five days later.

The court heard that Bartlett’s behavior was deeply troubling, with a probation report describing his intentions as predatory and indicating that he did not accept full responsibility for his actions. The report also warned of the psychological harm inflicted on the victim and suggested that Bartlett saw nothing wrong with his conduct, raising concerns about his potential to reoffend.

As Bartlett now adopts the name Charley Jay Ward and resides in Exeter, authorities and the public are urged to remain vigilant. The case underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and the need for community awareness to prevent further harm from individuals with a history of such offenses.