DAVID EVANS: CARDIFF SEX OFFENDER REPEATEDLY BREACHES COURT ORDERS AND APPROACHES NURSERIES
In a disturbing pattern of repeated violations, David Evans, a registered sex offender from Cardiff, has once again found himself back behind bars after breaching a court-imposed Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the fifth time.The latest incident involved Evans approaching a nursery in Cardiff city centre, despite clear legal restrictions designed to protect children from his presence.
Evans was released from prison in July 2019, having served multiple sentences related to his previous offences.
However, just three months after his release, he was arrested again for violating the terms of his court order.
Support workers assigned to him had been reminding him almost daily of the restrictions he was under, yet he continued to breach them.
At Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke expressed her concern over the persistent nature of Evans’s breaches, remarking, “It is very rare that these courts have to deal with someone who has committed such persistent breaches.” The court was informed that Evans was released from custody on July 19, 2019, and that his support worker had taken the time to explain the details of his court order to him.
Despite these efforts, Evans was caught approaching a nursery, which was a clear violation of the order that forbade him from entering within 100 meters of any nursery, school, leisure centre, or other facilities used by children.
Prosecutor Abigail Jackson outlined the specifics of Evans’s criminal record, which dates back to 2011.
On January 31, 2011, Evans was sentenced for 16 counts of making indecent images of children, along with additional charges of possessing indecent images and extreme pornography.
His criminal history also includes multiple breaches of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
His first breach occurred on August 10, 2012, when he was caught within 100 meters of a leisure centre, resulting in a 30-month prison sentence.
The breaches continued in 2013, 2015, and 2018, with Evans repeatedly violating the restrictions and being sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, ranging from 15 to 30 months each time.
Notably, in 2017, police found Evans in Cardiff Central Library viewing child abuse images on his phone, with a total of 121 indecent images discovered on his device.
This incident further underscored his ongoing obsession with such material.
His criminal record reveals a pattern of offending that includes viewing child abuse images in public spaces, loitering outside facilities used by children, and breaching court orders designed to prevent him from approaching minors.
Despite these repeated violations, Evans has continued to flout the restrictions, leading to his latest arrest and subsequent sentencing.
Most recently, Evans was caught on April 5 of this year attempting to access the Cardiff University’s Centre for Human Development and the nearby Day Care Centre, both of which are facilities used by children.
Security staff at Cardiff University observed him trying to open the doors of the Centre for Human Development on Park Place around 7 pm.
When questioned, Evans claimed he was searching for the library and asked, “Did you think I was acting suspiciously?” Prosecutors highlighted that the centre specializes in research related to children’s development, particularly children with autism spectrum disorder, and that the presence of toys and children’s furniture visible through the windows made it obvious that young children were present.
CCTV footage later confirmed Evans walking along Park Place and standing outside the nursery and crèche.
When arrested, he responded to police cautions with the remark, “Am I going to jail?
But I’ve worked so hard,” denying any knowledge of his proximity to the nursery.
Throughout the proceedings, Evans’s history of offending was thoroughly examined.
His previous breaches, including the 2011 conviction for indecent images and subsequent violations, demonstrated a clear pattern of non-compliance with court orders.
His defense acknowledged his obsessive interest in pornography, describing it as “like an addiction,” and noted that he had been assessed as presenting a high risk of harm to children and young people.
Judge Michael Fitton QC addressed Evans directly, criticizing his attitude and sense of responsibility, stating, “You feel sorry for yourself, you blame somebody else, it is always somebody else’s fault you are here.” Evans was sentenced to an additional 27 months in prison, and the existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains in effect to prevent further breaches.
In summary, David Evans’s case exemplifies a troubling pattern of persistent violations of court orders meant to safeguard children.
Despite multiple incarcerations and legal restrictions, his continued actions pose a significant risk, prompting the court to emphasize the importance of strict supervision and ongoing monitoring to prevent further harm.
