ANDREW BLAND'S CRIMINAL REIGN IN JARROW, SEATON DELAVAL, STOCKTON, AND WALLSEND: A SERIAL OFFENDER'S REPEATED BREACHES AND JAIL SENTENCES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Andrew Bland, a known sex offender with ties to Jarrow, Seaton Delaval, Stockton, and Wallsend, has repeatedly defied court orders designed to protect children from his predatory behavior. His actions have resulted in multiple convictions, breaches of court-imposed restrictions, and lengthy prison sentences, highlighting a troubling pattern of disregard for legal safeguards and the safety of young people.

In March 2014, Bland, aged 32 and residing on Rockingham Street in Darlington, was brought before Teesside Crown Court to face charges related to his persistent breaches of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). The court heard that Bland had violated this order six times since its imposition in 2004, despite the clear restrictions placed upon him to prevent contact with minors. The judge described Bland as a man who posed a “significant risk” to children, yet he appeared intent on testing the boundaries of the order, engaging in behaviors that could potentially lead to harm.

One of Bland’s most recent breaches involved attempting to become a member of Darlington Library. This was a violation because the library was considered a place where he could come into contact with children, especially during educational visits. The police had previously visited Bland at his home during a risk management review, during which he admitted to being a member of libraries in Teesside and Bishop Auckland. When questioned about his library memberships, Bland claimed he believed it was permissible for him to visit libraries outside of school term time, a statement that further demonstrated his lack of understanding or disregard for the restrictions placed upon him.

Prosecutor David Crook emphasized the seriousness of Bland’s repeated breaches, noting that each violation appeared to be an attempt to make contact with individuals at risk. He pointed out that Bland had previously been caught on CCTV in a shopping centre, very close to women with children, which raised further concerns about his intentions and behavior. The court was told that Bland’s persistent pushing of boundaries was a cause for alarm, with his actions indicating a pattern of behavior that could escalate.

Representing Bland, solicitor Paul Abrahams acknowledged that some mitigation might be appropriate, noting that Bland had disclosed his intentions himself rather than being caught outright. However, he also emphasized that this was Bland’s sixth breach, and the cumulative pattern of violations warranted a serious response. Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Bland to 14 months in prison, giving him credit for an early guilty plea. The judge sternly warned Bland that his behavior demonstrated a clear intent to test the limits of the court’s orders, and although no direct contact with children occurred during this breach, it was a preparatory step that could lead to more serious offenses.

Prior to this, Bland’s criminal history includes a series of convictions and breaches dating back to the late 1990s. In May 2013, Bland, then 31 and residing in Stockton, was jailed for the fifth time for breaching a court order that prohibited him from approaching children within 20 meters. CCTV footage captured him in Stockton’s Castlegate shopping centre, where he was seen approaching women and children. Prosecutor Rachel Masters explained that Bland had pestered three individuals, all with children, on January 28. When arrested, Bland claimed he was asking for a cigarette light and money for heroin, but the court found his actions to be in violation of the SOPO, which had been imposed in 2004 following a previous conviction for taking a child without lawful authority.

Bland’s criminal record is extensive, including convictions from 1999 for indecent assault and inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. His breaches of the SOPO in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 resulted in prison sentences ranging from six months to three years. Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced him to 12 months in prison, emphasizing the persistent nature of his violations and the deliberate manner in which he flouted court orders.

Further back in April 2009, Bland was jailed for three years after breaching a court order for the fourth time. This order was initially imposed after Bland, then 27, abducted a 10-year-old boy in Whitley Bay in 2004. Bland had befriended the boy at an arcade, provided him with cannabis, and spent a night with him in a derelict cabin while police searched for the missing child. Despite the initial order forbidding any contact with minors, Bland breached it multiple times, including playing football with two boys he later admitted he intended to groom for sex. Judge Richard Lowden expressed concern that the order was ineffective in preventing Bland’s behavior, describing him as a danger to children.

Advocates for victims, such as Kevin Young of the Justice for Survivors group, criticized the repeated leniency shown to Bland, noting that he had been given multiple chances despite his history of abuse. Young, a survivor himself, expressed horror at the fact that Bland had been allowed to reoffend multiple times, emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to protect potential victims.

Throughout his criminal career, Bland has been associated with various locations, including Jarrow, Seaton Delaval, Stockton, and Wallsend, where his actions have caused significant concern among community members and authorities alike. His ongoing pattern of breaches and the court’s responses underscore the challenges faced in managing repeat offenders and safeguarding vulnerable populations from predatory individuals like Bland.