SERIAL SOUTHAMPTON PAEDOPHILE ANDREW OTHEN TOLD TO 'READ A BOOK' BY JUDGE
A serial paedophile was given shrewd advice by a judge who told him to “read a book” instead of messaging underage girls.Andrew Othen, aged 56, did not keep his troubling habits at bay despite being given a chance to reform after a previous conviction.
He returned to court on May 1 for breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed in 2019.
Prosecutor Rachel Standish described him as a “high risk” sex offender, revealing that he was secretly using an internet-enabled mobile phone and had established eight different usernames on various messaging applications.
He had spent 45 days on the messaging app Kik, communicating with girls aged 13 and 14, with conversations that were sexual in nature.
He bombarded them with sexual questions and asked to meet one of the girls.
The Crown Prosecutor stated, “The crown say he was going to offend again.” During the hearing, defense lawyer Gaylene Coles said Othen “knows what is about to happen” with a likelihood of returning to prison due to his persistent offending.
She explained that he had a difficult upbringing, witnessing his mother’s death when he was 14, which led him to live a lonely and isolated life.
She added that after his release from prison, he struggles to find work and does not know how to fill his time.
Judge Nigel Peters KC responded sharply, telling Othen, “He can read a book.” Previously, Othen had pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching his SHPO.
The judge emphasized his age, nearly 60, and the seriousness of his conduct, especially since he was dealing with vulnerable individuals.
He noted that Othen’s immediate guilty plea was the only mitigation.
Ultimately, Othen was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
