CARL GIBBONS SHOCKS MACCLESFIELD: SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED ONE DAY AFTER PAROLE RELEASE IN MACCLESFIELD

In a startling sequence of events that has rocked the town of Macclesfield, Carl Gibbons, a 20-year-old known for his criminal past, was taken into custody just one day after being released on parole. His brief period of freedom was abruptly ended when he was arrested for driving while disqualified, a serious offence that added to his troubled criminal record.

Gibbons, who resides on Cambridge Road in Macclesfield, had previously served time for a grave sexual offence involving a 14-year-old girl. His earlier conviction stemmed from a case at Chester Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with a significant portion of that sentence to be served under a young offenders' institution.

However, in a controversial decision, Gibbons was released on licence last Friday, August 4. The very next morning, he was back under arrest, this time for driving while disqualified, without insurance, and for failing to stop after an accident. The police reports indicated that Gibbons was involved in a car accident, after which he failed to remain at the scene, further complicating his legal situation. The magistrates, in a move that has sparked public debate, sentenced him to an additional three months in jail and imposed a one-year ban from driving.

Notably, the decision not to refer Gibbons' case to the crown court meant that he would not be required to serve the remaining seven and a half months of his original 15-month sentence. This leniency has been met with strong criticism from local politicians and community leaders. Sir Nicholas Winterton MP described the handling of Gibbons' case as “excessively lenient,” emphasizing that most law-abiding citizens would expect offenders released early on licence to complete their full sentences if they commit further crimes. He expressed concern that such decisions send the wrong message about the seriousness of parole violations.

Local borough mayor, Councillor Jim Crockatt, echoed these sentiments, stating, “It makes a mockery out of crime and punishment if someone gets a punishment for a crime, does only half the time, and then commits another offence. I don’t know what the parents of his victim must be thinking.” The case has reignited debates about the justice system's approach to repeat offenders and the effectiveness of parole policies.

Further backstory reveals that Gibbons' criminal history includes a conviction from December 2005, when a jury found him guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. The incident occurred while the girl was visiting her sister and her sister’s boyfriend at their Macclesfield home. The girl, who was 14 at the time and is now 15, testified that she had consumed three rum and lemonades and could not remember the sexual encounter. The court heard that Gibbons believed the girl was older, claiming he was unaware of her true age, as he thought she was 17 or 18.

During the trial, evidence was presented that Gibbons had engaged in a sexual act with the girl while she was intoxicated. The girl’s sister and her boyfriend recounted that they had briefly left the house, only to return and find Gibbons in a compromising situation with the girl. The sister described an altercation where Gibbons grabbed her by the throat and threatened her life, then pushed her onto the stairs when she tried to intervene. The incident escalated to Gibbons throwing a brick through a van’s windscreen and fleeing the scene.

Gibbons claimed he was unaware of the girl’s age and denied any physical confrontation, asserting that he did not know what happened to the van. The girl testified that she last remembered playing with her baby nephew and then waking up with a banging head, later discovering she was in hospital. The court noted that no bruising was observed on her, and her intoxication level was confirmed to be significantly over the legal limit at the time of the incident.

In addition to the sexual offence, Gibbons was also convicted of criminal damage and assaulting a police officer. The police officer, PC Wanda Harrop, was struck when Gibbons slammed a door during an attempted arrest for breach of curfew, an incident that occurred three days before Christmas. Gibbons was reportedly trying to escape at the time, and his actions led to further legal consequences.

As the community grapples with the implications of Gibbons’ case, questions about the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders and the adequacy of parole conditions continue to be raised. The case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in ensuring public safety and justice in Macclesfield.