GAVIN STEWART, DUNDEE SEX OFFENDER, SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER
In June 2014, a Dundee man who previously served nine years in prison for sexual offences with children was returned to jail for violating registration rules.Gavin Stewart, 29, failed to inform police of his new address within three days of his release from Perth Prison in March, as mandated by the Sex Offenders Act.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that police attended a temporary address provided by social workers at Bonnethill Court, but Stewart was not there.
A caretaker at the property confirmed that Stewart had not used his key fob to enter the property since his release three days earlier.
Fiscal depute Laura Bruce told the court that police had contacted Stewart, who refused to disclose his whereabouts.
She stated, “The following day, on March 24, the accused was traced at a property on Balunie Crescent.
He said he was going to register his address, and that he was only slightly late.” The court heard that Stewart had been briefed about his legal obligations before his release from Perth Prison.
Stewart was previously convicted in 2005 at Edinburgh High Court of engaging in sexual activity with a child in Dundee and of indecent behaviour with a second child.
Sheriff Alastair Brown emphasized during the hearing that the requirements under the Sex Offenders Act were designed to monitor individuals like Stewart, whose record he described as “disturbing,” to ensure public safety.
When asked why he had not registered his address, Stewart’s defense lawyer, Gary Fowlis, stated that Stewart could not remember refusing to cooperate with police but did not dispute the fact that he had failed to do so.
Fowlis added, “It was his intention to register the address and he cannot offer any explanation as to why he didn’t.
He understands it is a serious matter and he is very remorseful.” Stewart, who was in custody at HMP Perth, admitted that between March 21 and 23, at a property on Balunie Crescent, he failed to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Act by not informing police of his new address within the required three-day period.
Sheriff Brown stated, “Your record is one which is disturbing and in relation to that nothing short of a prison sentence is appropriate.” Consequently, Stewart was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
