CHARLES STEWART AND MARTIN COPELAND BUSTED IN HULL FOR ILLEGAL CONTACT WITH CHILDREN AFTER PRISON RELEASE
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Hull, two convicted sex offenders, Charles Stewart, aged 71, and Martin Copeland, aged 62, have been found to have violated court restrictions designed to prevent them from having contact with minors.The pair, who had previously served time for serious child sex offences, including child abduction and indecent assault, were discovered to be engaging in activities that put children at risk after their release from prison.
Both men had met in prison back in 2001, where they bonded over their shared criminal histories.
Despite court orders explicitly forbidding them from interacting with children, Stewart and Copeland continued to pursue opportunities to be around minors.
Evidence presented at Hull Crown Court revealed that Stewart had approached parents of two boys with inappropriate propositions, asking if he could “sleep in the same bed as them” and inviting them on holidays to his caravan.
These overtures raised serious concerns about their intentions and disregard for legal restrictions.
Alarmingly, the situation escalated when a birthday celebration for twenty children was held at the residence of Stewart and Copeland in east Hull.
Both men were present at the event, despite the fact that court orders had been issued to prevent any contact with children.
Witnesses and victims’ families expressed their shock and concern over the blatant breach of these legal restrictions.
Further investigations uncovered that Stewart had extended invitations to a boy to join him in his caravan, and the boy had spent considerable time with him.
Stewart’s interactions with the child included buying clothes and gifts, and he was described as having “befriended” the boy.
The parent of the child recounted that Stewart frequently asked if the boy could stay over at his house and sleep in his bed.
There were also reports of Stewart leaving the boy alone with his parent while they went shopping for a few hours, raising questions about the potential for exploitation.
In addition, Stewart was overheard making inappropriate and sexual remarks to a girl, further illustrating his predatory behavior.
The court heard that Stewart’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of misconduct.
Martin Copeland, who worked as a long-distance driver, was also implicated in the case.
He admitted that he often returned home to find Stewart in the company of children.
Although he acknowledged that he should have spoken up about Stewart’s behavior, he admitted to knowing that both men were living under a sexual offence prevention order and still failing to act accordingly.
Both Stewart and Copeland pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of their court orders.
As a result, Stewart was sentenced to 19 months in prison, while Copeland received a 15-month sentence.
The sentences reflect the seriousness of their violations and the ongoing threat they posed to the safety of children in Hull.
The case has prompted calls for increased vigilance and stricter enforcement of restrictions on convicted sex offenders to prevent similar breaches in the future.
