A MANSFIELD SEX OFFENDER WHO TURNED UP A DAY LATE TO NOTIFY POLICE ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS ON FOUR OCCASIONS
Andrew Cocker told law enforcement officials he was unable to recall why he missed his appointment at the police station on December 18.He acknowledged awareness that the station would be closed on Boxing Day and suggested that adverse weather conditions might have been the reason he missed scheduled appointments on January 15 and February 6.
In each case, Cocker attended the station the following day.
Prosecutor Michael Little revealed that Cocker's criminal record includes a conviction from June 2006, after which he was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
Cocker, aged 45 and residing on Longstone Way, Mansfield, pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday to failing to comply with his notification requirements.
His criminal history comprises 19 convictions covering 30 offences, including five related to sexual offences.
Defense lawyer Mark Stocks noted that Cocker made full confessions and should receive credit for early guilty pleas.
He pointed out that Cocker has only two prior convictions for breaching notification rules, with the last occurring in 2017, and that he generally complied with the conditions.
Mr Stocks further explained that the recent breach happened while Cocker was homeless, which led to more rigorous notification obligations.
Over a period of 15 months, he was mandated to register weekly and was a day late on four occasions.
The defense argued this did not pose an increased risk of committing additional offences.
Currently, Cocker is employed as a labourer and rents a room as a lodger.
The court handed down a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay a £26 surcharge along with £85 in court costs.
