ANDREW PORTELLI SENTENCED IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR BREACHING SEX OFFENDER CONDITIONS
A Southampton-based sex offender, Andrew Portelli, has been described as having acted 'foolishly' after he provided police with a false address, fearing he would lose his job and accommodation.
Last month, Portelli was handed a suspended sentence following his attempt to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl at a supermarket car park in Southampton.
As part of his sexual harm prevention order, he was instructed to register his address with the police, but he supplied incorrect details.
He was living and working as a night porter at The Elizabeth House Hotel on The Avenue in Southampton.
Portelli believed that disclosure to his employer would jeopardize his employment and housing, so he chose to lie.
However, police later notified his employers of his sentencing, leading to his dismissal, as reported by the Daily Echo.
At Southampton Crown Court, Judge Gary Burrell QC sentenced Portelli to six weeks in prison, describing his conduct as 'astonishingly stupid.' The court highlighted that just days after his sentencing, on February 8, he breached the same order.
It was also revealed that he had messaged a member of a paedophile hunter group online, posing as a 14-year-old girl and sending inappropriate messages including an invitation to shower together.
He arranged to meet her at an Aldi car park in Portswood, where he was confronted by the hunters.
For his actions, he received a six-month suspended sentence after admitting to sexual communications with a minor.
Shortly after, he was caught lying about his address.
During mitigation, Gemma White described Portelli’s actions as 'foolish,' explaining he was worried about losing his job and home if he disclosed the truth, as these provided him with stability.
Judge Burrell remarked on the stupidity of his decisions, stating, 'You must have realised that not giving police the right information would have caused a breach of your order.' Portelli, who had been in custody for a month since his arrest, was sentenced to serve six weeks in prison, making him eligible for immediate release.
He was also ordered to complete an additional 50 hours of unpaid work, adding to his previous 100 hours.
His six-month suspended sentence remains active.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
information would have caused a breach of your order.' Portelli, who had been in custody for a month since his arrest, was sentenced to serve six weeks in prison, making him eligible for immediate release. He was also ordered to complete...
Suspended sentence
Last month, Portelli was handed a suspended sentence following his attempt to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old girl at a supermarket car park in Southampton
Court order
As part of his sexual harm prevention order, he was instructed to register his address with the police, but he supplied incorrect details
Prison sentence
six weeks
At Southampton Crown Court, Judge Gary Burrell QC sentenced Portelli to six weeks in prison, describing his conduct as 'astonishingly stupid.' The court highlighted that just days after his sentencing, on February 8, he breached the same order
Suspended sentence
For his actions, he received a six-month suspended sentence after admitting to sexual communications with a minor
Prison sentence
a month
Judge Burrell remarked on the stupidity of his decisions, stating, 'You must have realised that not giving police the right information would have caused a breach of your order.' Portelli, who had been in custody for a month since his arrest, was sentenced to serve six weeks in prison, making him eligible for immediate release
Community order
100 hours
He was also ordered to complete an additional 50 hours of unpaid work, adding to his previous 100 hours
