ANDREW DOLMAN FROM BOSCOMBE AND DORCHESTER SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN BOURNEMOUTH AND DORSET

In November 2018, Andrew Dolman, a man with a troubling history of sexual offences, was once again brought before Bournemouth Crown Court to face sentencing for violations related to his previous convictions and ongoing non-compliance with legal restrictions. Dolman, aged 36 and residing on Cecil Road in Boscombe, has a long and documented history of sexual misconduct, including convictions for abusing two girls and an adult woman. His latest appearance in court was prompted by his breach of a sexual offences prevention order and failure to adhere to the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

Dolman’s criminal record is extensive. He was initially convicted of indecently assaulting a young girl in Warwickshire in 2000 and of having sexual relations with a girl under 16, along with detaining a child, in West Dorset in 2012. His past convictions also include a conviction for having sex with a minor and other related offences. Despite these convictions, Dolman continued to breach the conditions set by the authorities, which led to his current legal troubles.

In the recent case, Dolman was found to have been in a relationship with a woman from Dorset for approximately two and a half months. During this period, he was briefly left alone with her children when she went shopping. Prosecutors clarified that Dolman did not intend to harm or abuse the children during this time, but the fact remains that he was in a relationship with a woman who had a young child, despite his known history and legal restrictions.

Stuart Ellacott, the prosecutor, emphasized that Dolman was under multi-agency public protection arrangements, which classify him as a high-risk sex offender. The victim, a woman from Dorset, was aware that Dolman had been in prison but believed his incarceration was related to “football-related violence,” a misconception that highlights the lack of awareness about his true criminal background.

Dolman’s repeated violations of his legal obligations were highlighted during the hearing. The court was informed that he had previously been convicted of multiple offences, including a 2000 conviction for indecent assault and a 2012 conviction for having sex with a girl under 16 and detaining a child. His failure to comply with notification requirements and his breach of the sexual offences prevention order demonstrated a pattern of disobedience and disregard for legal restrictions.

Nick Robinson, the prosecutor, pointed out that Dolman’s appearance in the media, specifically in the Daily Echo, would be “tantamount to torture” for him, given his history and the public exposure. Robinson also noted that Dolman’s own history of sexual abuse, which he suffered from a very young age, contributed to his current situation. He explained that Dolman was “isolated and segregated” due to his convictions, and although he did not ask to be sexually abused as a child, this early trauma played a role in his later actions.

Judge Peter Crabtree addressed Dolman’s repeated disobedience and the high risk he poses to the community. The judge highlighted the findings of the probation officer, who assessed that Dolman’s likelihood of reoffending was high, and the risk of causing serious harm was also significant. The judge emphasized that Dolman’s failure to comply with the notification requirements and the sexual offences prevention order was particularly concerning because these measures are designed to protect young females and children.

Sentencing Dolman to 16 months in prison, Judge Crabtree issued a stern warning: “You must understand that compliance with these orders is not optional.” The court’s decision underscores the importance of strict adherence to legal restrictions for individuals with his criminal background, especially given the potential danger he poses to the community.

Reflecting on a previous incident in September 2017, a single mother with a two-year-old child was left “devastated” after discovering that Dolman, who was staying at her flat two nights a week, was a convicted sex offender. She was unaware of his past convictions, which included a 2000 conviction for sexual assault in Warwickshire and a 2012 conviction for having sex with a girl under 16 and detaining a child in Weymouth. Dolman was sentenced to ten months in prison for breaching notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register, after effectively “falling off the radar” following eviction from his previous address in December 2016. He also used aliases such as Robin Twist on Facebook and Andy Wood on the dating site Plenty of Fish, to conceal his identity from authorities.

When police finally located Dolman in August of that year, he was living at his Bournemouth flat under the alias Andy Wood. Prosecutor Robin Sellers stated that the woman he was living with “would never have entered into a relationship with the defendant had she known the true facts.” The court was told that Dolman had breached notification requirements on two previous occasions, further demonstrating his ongoing non-compliance and disregard for legal obligations.

In a related case from June 2016, Dolman was reported to be living in Southampton, continuing his pattern of residence changes and attempts to evade detection. His criminal history also includes a 2012 conviction for abducting a 14-year-old girl in Weymouth, where he was found to have given her cannabis and alcohol before engaging in sexual activity. He was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment at Dorchester Crown Court for this offence.

Earlier, in August 2012, Dolman admitted to abducting the same girl and engaging in sexual activity with her between August 4 and August 7. The court warned him that prison was “inevitable,” and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing. His previous convictions, including a 2000 sexual assault and subsequent convictions in 2007 for sexual activity with a minor, further illustrate his long-standing pattern of offending.

Overall, Andrew Dolman’s case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing high-risk sex offenders and the importance of strict legal compliance to protect vulnerable members of the community. His repeated breaches and history of offending highlight the critical need for vigilant monitoring and enforcement of restrictions to prevent further harm.