CHRISTOPHER SWEENEY: DERBYSHIRE CHILD RAPIST PREFERS PRISON TO 'UNSAFE' STREETS
In April 2022, Christopher Sweeney, a convicted child rapist from Derbyshire, made headlines once again for his repeated attempts to return to prison rather than face the dangers he perceives on the streets of Derby.The 41-year-old father of five has a long history of offending and breaches related to his status as a sex offender, which have culminated in multiple incarcerations over the past two decades.
His latest act of defiance occurred shortly after his release from prison, when Sweeney voluntarily approached police officers in Derby city and requested to be taken back into custody.
This act was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of behaviour where he deliberately flouts the conditions of his release, particularly the requirement to inform authorities of his whereabouts.
The Derby Crown Court heard how Sweeney, who was released on January 24 of this year, had previously breached the terms of his sex offender registration 16 times, including this recent incident.
During the sentencing hearing, Recorder Justin Wigoder addressed Sweeney directly, emphasizing the gravity of his past crimes and his ongoing violations.
He reminded the court that Sweeney was convicted in 2003 of raping a boy under the age of 16, a serious offense that resulted in a life-long requirement to register as a sex offender.
The court was told that since his initial conviction, Sweeney has repeatedly flouted the rules, often deliberately avoiding providing his address to authorities and even instructing police to arrest him.
In his remarks, the judge highlighted the importance of seeking help and making efforts to reintegrate into society.
He stated, “There are people that will help you but you have to want to seek help, otherwise you will keep going back to prison for longer and longer because you deliberately flout a court order.
It is up to you, you can try to seek help, move away from the area, somewhere you are not concerned about showing your face.
Otherwise your future is going to look very bleak.” Prosecutor Caroline Sellars detailed how Sweeney, formerly of Burton Road, Derby, and currently without a fixed address, appeared at Chester Green’s St Mary’s Wharf police station just five days after his release.
He was there, throwing stones at the windows and kicking shutters, demanding to be arrested.
Officers outside the station complied with his request and took him into custody.
Sweeney pleaded guilty to his 16th breach of the notification requirements, which mandate that sex offenders inform police of their residence within three days of release.
His defence argued that Sweeney feels unsafe outside prison and believes he has been forgotten by society.
They explained that he is homeless and feels vulnerable, especially in Derby, where he claims his face is widely recognised from media coverage.
The defence added that Sweeney wishes to move away and start anew, away from the area where he fears hostility.
Earlier, in December 2018, Sweeney was again incarcerated for breaching police notification orders.
At that time, he was found guilty of failing to check in with police, citing homelessness and a lack of assistance as reasons for his non-compliance.
Prosecutor Eunace Opare-Addo highlighted that Sweeney, then 37, had a history of failing to adhere to court orders, with 12 previous breaches.
The court heard how he was taken into custody after failing to notify police of his circumstances and that he had struggled to find stable accommodation, often living on the streets or in front of shops.
Judge Robert Egbuna sentenced Sweeney to 12 months in prison, emphasizing his repeated failures to comply with legal requirements and the seriousness of his original offense.
The judge remarked, “You have 12 previous convictions for failing to comply with an order.
You are a grown man.
You understand the reasons why you are needed to go to a police station so they can keep an eye on you.
But you have chosen a number of times not to go to police.
You have been doing it for an extremely long time.” The judge also noted that while society wishes for offenders like Sweeney to have stable homes, it does not absolve them from their legal obligations to cooperate with authorities and seek help when needed.
