GARY DYER FROM ST HELENS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDERS IN LIVERPOOL
In March 2021, a disturbing case involving Gary Dyer, a resident of St Helens, unfolded at Liverpool Crown Court, highlighting ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of convicted sex offenders.Despite previous convictions and strict court orders, Dyer’s actions demonstrated a troubling pattern of breaches that raised serious questions about public safety and the effectiveness of supervision measures.
Gary Dyer, whose criminal record includes a conviction from 2004 for engaging in intercourse with a girl under 13, was initially sentenced in 2019 to 17 months in prison after admitting to sending obscene messages to a 14-year-old girl and her schoolfriend.
The messages contained sexual content, and Dyer made explicit requests for indecent images and to meet up with the minors.
Following his release, he was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which mandated that he declare all mobile phones to police and prohibited certain online activities.
However, just four weeks after completing his prison term, Dyer was caught in breach of the SHPO when police discovered he had kept two secret mobile phones, one concealed within his bed covers.
This violation prompted his return to court, where he faced additional penalties.
Despite the breaches, the court initially handed him a suspended sentence and a three-month curfew, but the seriousness of his repeated violations was evident.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Martyn Walsh detailed how Dyer had breached his curfew on two separate occasions in February.
The first incident involved an argument with a housemate over alleged theft, which led Dyer to leave his home and go to his mother’s residence.
The second breach occurred when Dyer claimed he was searching for his daughter in Halifax, citing concern for her welfare.
These breaches occurred despite the court’s clear warnings about his behavior.
At the time of these incidents, Dyer was living on Harris Street in St Helens.
His criminal history also includes a previous conviction from 2004 for child rape, which resulted in a prison sentence of three and a half years.
His recent conduct, including the breach of the SHPO and the possession of two mobile phones, underscored ongoing risks associated with his case.
In November 2020, Dyer was again in the spotlight when he was arrested for breaching his SHPO just four weeks after his release from a 17-month sentence.
Police found him hiding a mobile phone in his bedcovers and discovered another device during a search of his home.
The investigation revealed that Dyer had been accessing the internet via a Lenovo phone, which he falsely claimed belonged to his girlfriend.
The court learned that his girlfriend, who has learning difficulties and a mental age of approximately 13, was in care and had no access to her daughter, further complicating the case.
Throughout the proceedings, Dyer’s history of sexual offenses and breaches of court orders was emphasized.
Prosecutor Tom Challinor reiterated that Dyer had been subject to a SHPO following his 2019 conviction, which explicitly prohibited him from possessing devices capable of internet access without police approval.
His failure to comply with these conditions was a clear violation of the order and posed a significant risk to public safety.
Judge Andrew Menary, QC, addressed Dyer’s repeated breaches with sternness.
While he initially sentenced Dyer to eight months in prison, the sentence was suspended for 18 months, with additional requirements including 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and participation in the Horizon sex offenders’ program.
The judge explicitly stated that Dyer was being given a last chance, warning that there was a high likelihood he would reoffend if not properly supervised.
Despite the seriousness of his violations, Dyer was also handed a three-month curfew from 8 pm to 6 am, reflecting ongoing concerns about his behavior.
Throughout the case, the court underscored the importance of strict supervision and the potential dangers posed by individuals like Dyer, whose past offenses and recent breaches demonstrated the persistent threat to vulnerable members of society, especially children.
The case remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in managing sex offenders and the critical need for vigilant monitoring to prevent further harm.
