FRANK GRAHAM BLACKHAM BUSTED IN BIDEFORD FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES ORDER BREACHES

In April 2013, Frank Graham, also known as Graham Blackham, appeared before North Devon Magistrates' Court in connection with allegations of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Graham, aged 28 and a known convicted paedophile, was formerly based in Derby but now resides on Bideford High Street. His appearance in court followed accusations that he violated the strict conditions imposed on him by Derby Crown Court in 2006.

Graham, who has a troubling history of sexual offences involving minors, denied three charges of breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The allegations specify that between January 1 and April 11 of this year, he was found in the company of two girls under the age of 16. Additionally, he is accused of being present while a friend was babysitting an infant child, which further raises concerns about his compliance with the court’s restrictions.

During the hearing, Paul Walters, representing Graham, requested that his client be dealt with leniently and be released on bail. However, the presiding magistrate, Robin Hagley, rejected both requests, citing concerns that the magistrate’s powers were insufficient to grant bail in this case. The magistrate announced that the case would be transferred to Exeter Crown Court for further proceedings.

Graham is scheduled to appear via video link from Exeter prison before North Devon magistrates on Thursday, where he will be formally committed to stand trial at the crown court. This development follows a long and troubling history of Graham’s offences.

Looking back at his criminal record, Graham, then known as Frank Blackham, was first convicted in 2006 of two counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. He was subsequently handed a supervision order. Later that same year, in December, he breached this order and was sentenced to 12 months in prison. After his release, he breached the supervision order again in June 2008, resulting in a further six-month prison sentence. In February 2009, police raided a property on Slack Lane and found Blackham in the company of a boy and girl, both under 16, which constituted another breach of his order.

His most notorious involvement came in November 2010 when he was identified as part of a predominantly Asian paedophile ring responsible for abusing and raping up to 100 girls, some as young as 12. This case drew significant media attention and highlighted the extent of his criminal activities. The ongoing legal proceedings in Bideford are a stark reminder of his troubled past and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect minors from harm.