DAVINDER SINGH'S SCOTLAND ESCAPADE: FALKIRK SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT IN LEICESTER AND JAILED

In February 2010, a serious incident unfolded involving Davinder Singh, a registered sex offender from Falkirk, who became the subject of a nationwide manhunt after he absconded from Scotland without notifying authorities. Singh's disappearance prompted police to issue alerts across the United Kingdom, leading to his eventual arrest in Leicester.

Singh, aged 31 at the time, was last seen in the Falkirk area during the summer of the previous year. His absence from the police register raised alarms, especially given his prior conviction and registration obligations. It was only after authorities circulated his photograph and personal details to all UK police forces that he was located at an address in Leicester. The arrest was carried out by officers from Leicestershire Constabulary on February 3, 2010.

Following his arrest, Singh was transported back to Scotland, where he appeared before Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday. He was accompanied by a translator, as he faced charges related to breaching the terms of his sex offender registration order. Singh, who was in custody, pleaded guilty to failing to notify police of his change of address within the required three-day period, a violation of the conditions set by his registration.

Singh's criminal history dates back to 2007 when he was convicted of multiple counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl. His conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred at an address in Falkirk during March and April 2006. As part of his sentence, he was fined and placed on the sex offenders’ register. Singh, an Indian national working as a curry cook, had moved to Leicester in July of the previous year without informing authorities, which constituted a breach of his registration obligations.

Details of his movements reveal that Singh had communicated with the Central Scotland Police’s offender management unit on July 7, 2009, indicating his intention to relocate. However, subsequent attempts by police to contact him via his mobile phone went unanswered. It was later discovered that Singh had lost his job at a restaurant in Falkirk and his flat above the establishment in August, prompting him to seek employment elsewhere. His current occupation is as a farm laborer in Leicester, where he resides on a farm.

During the court proceedings, Singh’s defense attorney, Andy Bryson, highlighted language barriers and personal circumstances as contributing factors to his failure to comply with registration requirements. Bryson explained that Singh’s primary language is Punjabi and that he struggled with English, which complicated his understanding of the legal obligations. He also noted Singh’s social isolation, both due to language difficulties and his status as a sex offender, which affected his ability to navigate the system effectively.

Sheriff Donald Ferguson sentenced Singh to four months in prison, with the sentence being backdated to February 4, 2010, the day of his arrest. The sheriff emphasized the gravity of the breach, stating, “This is a serious matter. The order which requires you to give change of address is there to protect the public. That was not done between July and the day the police arrested you. There is no other option than a prison sentence.”

It is noteworthy that Central Scotland Police faced criticism earlier in January for taking six months to publicly announce Singh’s disappearance, raising concerns about the timeliness of their response in managing sex offender cases and protecting the community.