CHARLES THOMPSON, THE SOUTH SHIELDS PARK VAGRANT, JAILED FOR FAILING TO REPORT IN SOUTHLANDS

In August 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Charles Thompson, a convicted child rapist who was found living homeless in a park in South Shields. The incident drew significant attention from local authorities and the court, highlighting issues surrounding sex offender management and compliance with legal obligations.

Charles Christopher Thompson, aged 67, was previously convicted of a serious sexual offense in Truro, Cornwall, back in 2001. His conviction stemmed from a rape incident, and since then, he had been subject to strict conditions as part of his release from custody. These conditions mandated that he regularly inform police authorities of his current residence, a requirement that Thompson failed to uphold.

According to court proceedings, Thompson had left his residence on Villette Road in Sunderland and was subsequently found living without shelter in a park in South Shields. The police discovered him after they responded to concerns about his whereabouts. It was revealed during the hearing that Thompson had initially attended Waterloo Place police station in Sunderland to sign the sex offender register, fulfilling part of his legal obligations. However, he was told that he could only sign the register at Southwick police station, and when an officer at Waterloo Place offered to give him a lift, Thompson declined to wait for assistance.

Authorities then conducted a search of Thompson’s last known address on Villette Road. The police placed security tags on the doors of his residence to monitor whether he returned. Over a period of time, the tags remained undisturbed, leading officers to conclude that Thompson was no longer residing there. The investigation ultimately led to his discovery living rough in Marine Park, a well-known public space in South Shields.

Thompson, who was classified as having no fixed abode, faced charges for breaching the sex offender notification requirements. He admitted to one of the charges but contested a second, which resulted in a trial. The court found him guilty of both charges, and he was subsequently sentenced to 30 weeks in prison. Additionally, Thompson was ordered to pay costs amounting to £340.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring convicted sex offenders and ensuring compliance with legal restrictions, especially when individuals choose to live outside the bounds of society and evade detection.