DAVID ROBERTS FROM SOUTHAMPTON JAILED FOR LYING ABOUT PAST CRIMES AND BREACHING SEX OFFENDER CONDITIONS
In a case that has drawn significant attention at Southampton Crown Court, David Roberts, a resident of Jessamine Road in the Shirley Warren area of Southampton, was sentenced to prison after a series of deceptive and unlawful actions.Roberts, who had previously served a lengthy prison sentence, concealed his criminal history from a new partner he met through an online dating platform.
He falsely claimed to her that he had been incarcerated for violence, a statement that was entirely untrue.
In reality, Roberts had been imprisoned for ten years in 2004 following his conviction for sexually abusing a child.
His deception was eventually uncovered after the woman, a mother of two, grew suspicious of his behavior.
She became concerned when Roberts requested a photograph of her daughter dressed for prom and showed an unusual eagerness to help decorate her room.
These actions prompted her to contact the police to voice her concerns.
The authorities responded swiftly and initiated an investigation into Roberts’s background.
During the inquiry, police discovered that Roberts had violated the terms of his sex offenders’ license by failing to inform authorities of his change of address.
Further investigation revealed that two teenage girls were residing at his address, raising additional concerns.
Prosecutor Ceri Harrison outlined these findings at Southampton Crown Court, emphasizing that Roberts had breached the conditions of his sex offender registration.
Roberts admitted to the breach, and in light of his criminal history, which includes a total of 65 previous offences, the court sentenced him to 12 months in prison.
The judge, Derwin Hope, considered the severity of his violations but noted that there was no evidence to suggest that Roberts had engaged in any form of sexual grooming or that the children involved had been harmed during his breaches.
In mitigation, defense attorney Tim Dracass highlighted that despite Roberts’s extensive criminal record, there was no indication of ongoing danger to children or the public.
Roberts’s case underscores the importance of strict enforcement of sex offender registration laws and the potential dangers posed when individuals fail to comply with legal requirements designed to protect the community.
