DUNCAN SHOUGH FROM OSWESTRY JAILED AFTER BREAKING SEX OFFENDER RESTRICTIONS ON M6

In a serious case that highlights ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of convicted sex offenders, Duncan Shough, a resident of Oswestry, has been sentenced to prison after an incident involving a minor. The incident occurred on the M6 motorway, between junctions 14 and 15, where police officers stopped Shough’s van during a routine traffic check.

During the stop, authorities conducted a search through the police national computer system, which revealed that Shough was subject to a sexual harm prevention order issued in 2017. This order was set to remain in effect indefinitely and explicitly prohibited him from having contact with anyone under the age of 18, as well as from employing minors in any capacity. The restrictions are part of measures designed to prevent reoffending and protect the public from individuals with a history of sexual offences.

Further investigation confirmed that the passenger in Shough’s vehicle was a 16-year-old male. The police confirmed this fact during the court proceedings, which added gravity to the case. The court was informed that Shough had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for gross indecency and sexual assault of a male under 16. These convictions underscore the seriousness of his past offences and the importance of the restrictions placed upon him.

Shough, who runs a plant-selling business and is known to undertake large-scale gardening projects, was returning from Bristol on the day he was stopped. He had traveled there to purchase plants, a routine activity that took a disturbing turn when police intervened. The court heard that the incident on August 17 was a clear breach of the sexual harm prevention order, which he had previously agreed to abide by.

Shough pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching the order, and in sentencing, Judge Paul Glenn emphasized the severity of the breach. The judge pointed out that the evidence suggested Shough had deliberately chosen not to verify the age of the young passenger, which was a violation of the conditions set out in his order. The judge also referenced a probation report that described an entrenched pattern of sexual offending behavior directed at young males, indicating a high risk of reoffending.

In light of these factors, Judge Glenn sentenced Shough to 14 months in prison. He described the breach as a deliberate act and expressed concern over the defendant’s ongoing risk to children. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict enforcement of restrictions placed on convicted offenders and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in safeguarding vulnerable minors from potential harm.