ANDREW DART FROM IPSWICH JAILED FOR REPEATED OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS
| Red Rose Database
Ipswich Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of young girls and the dangers posed by convicted sex offenders, Andrew Dart, a resident of Ipswich, has been sentenced to prison after multiple breaches of his legal restrictions. Dart, who was previously convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl, found himself back behind bars following his failure to adhere to the conditions set by the court.
Originally, Dart received a 51-week suspended sentence for his previous offenses, which included sending a suggestive message and a photograph of his anatomy to the young girl. As part of his sentencing, Dart was explicitly prohibited from engaging in any form of electronic communication with minors, a condition designed to prevent further contact with vulnerable youths. Despite these restrictions, Dart violated the terms of his suspended sentence and a sexual offenders’ prevention order (SOPO) when he sent a message to another girl in February of the following year.
The message, which was read out during the court proceedings, stated: “Hi, you were in my suggestion box. Sorry I meant no offence. What you like doing. I think you are extremely attractive. Love Andy.” This message clearly demonstrated Dart’s continued inappropriate behavior and disregard for the court’s orders.
Further investigation by police revealed that Dart maintained a Facebook profile with approximately 80 friends. Of these friends, 40 were girls under the age of 16, raising serious concerns about his online interactions. Police officers interviewed seven of these girls, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15. Many of these girls were part of a school network based in Wales, and they, along with several older girls, were among the 77 females who were connected to Dart on Facebook.
In light of these findings, Dart was brought before Ipswich Crown Court, where he faced multiple charges related to his breaches. The court heard that Dart’s behavior was not limited to online activity; he had also exhibited risky conduct during interactions with probation officers. For instance, he inquired about attending a fair at Portman Road in Ipswich, despite being advised that it was inappropriate given his circumstances. Additionally, Dart was found to have been in conversation with two girls aged approximately 12 and 13 at a bus stop, further illustrating his inappropriate engagement with minors.
Judge Patrick O’Brien sentenced Dart to a total of 39 weeks in prison. While acknowledging Dart’s cooperation with probation officers, the judge emphasized that such cooperation did not justify or mitigate his continued misconduct. The judge stated plainly: “Whatever your inclinations are, this kind of behaviour has simply got to stop.”
It was also revealed that Dart’s conditions had been further tightened on October 12 of the previous year, following concerns about his conduct. Although no new charges were brought at that time, the court noted that Dart had engaged in what was described as “risky behaviour” during his dealings with probation officers. This included his persistent attempts to engage in activities that were deemed inappropriate for someone under supervision.
Previously, Dart had been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in October 2008 to a suspended sentence for his initial offenses. His breaches of the SOPO, which included multiple violations, resulted in additional jail time—13 weeks for eight breaches, and a consecutive 26-week sentence for breaching his suspended sentence. The court also imposed further conditions on his SOPO, reflecting the seriousness with which the judicial system views his repeated misconduct and the ongoing threat he poses to young girls in Ipswich and beyond.
Originally, Dart received a 51-week suspended sentence for his previous offenses, which included sending a suggestive message and a photograph of his anatomy to the young girl. As part of his sentencing, Dart was explicitly prohibited from engaging in any form of electronic communication with minors, a condition designed to prevent further contact with vulnerable youths. Despite these restrictions, Dart violated the terms of his suspended sentence and a sexual offenders’ prevention order (SOPO) when he sent a message to another girl in February of the following year.
The message, which was read out during the court proceedings, stated: “Hi, you were in my suggestion box. Sorry I meant no offence. What you like doing. I think you are extremely attractive. Love Andy.” This message clearly demonstrated Dart’s continued inappropriate behavior and disregard for the court’s orders.
Further investigation by police revealed that Dart maintained a Facebook profile with approximately 80 friends. Of these friends, 40 were girls under the age of 16, raising serious concerns about his online interactions. Police officers interviewed seven of these girls, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15. Many of these girls were part of a school network based in Wales, and they, along with several older girls, were among the 77 females who were connected to Dart on Facebook.
In light of these findings, Dart was brought before Ipswich Crown Court, where he faced multiple charges related to his breaches. The court heard that Dart’s behavior was not limited to online activity; he had also exhibited risky conduct during interactions with probation officers. For instance, he inquired about attending a fair at Portman Road in Ipswich, despite being advised that it was inappropriate given his circumstances. Additionally, Dart was found to have been in conversation with two girls aged approximately 12 and 13 at a bus stop, further illustrating his inappropriate engagement with minors.
Judge Patrick O’Brien sentenced Dart to a total of 39 weeks in prison. While acknowledging Dart’s cooperation with probation officers, the judge emphasized that such cooperation did not justify or mitigate his continued misconduct. The judge stated plainly: “Whatever your inclinations are, this kind of behaviour has simply got to stop.”
It was also revealed that Dart’s conditions had been further tightened on October 12 of the previous year, following concerns about his conduct. Although no new charges were brought at that time, the court noted that Dart had engaged in what was described as “risky behaviour” during his dealings with probation officers. This included his persistent attempts to engage in activities that were deemed inappropriate for someone under supervision.
Previously, Dart had been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in October 2008 to a suspended sentence for his initial offenses. His breaches of the SOPO, which included multiple violations, resulted in additional jail time—13 weeks for eight breaches, and a consecutive 26-week sentence for breaching his suspended sentence. The court also imposed further conditions on his SOPO, reflecting the seriousness with which the judicial system views his repeated misconduct and the ongoing threat he poses to young girls in Ipswich and beyond.