GORDON RODGERSON'S LEEDS CRIMES: SEX OFFENDER HIDING PAST FROM NEW GIRLFRIEND
In a troubling case that has raised serious concerns about transparency and public safety, Gordon Rodgerson, a convicted sex offender from Leeds, was found to have failed to disclose his criminal history to a woman he met through social media.The incident unfolded when Rodgerson, aged 39, stayed at his new girlfriend’s residence for several nights without informing her of his past convictions related to child sex offences.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Rodgerson, residing on Trentham Row in Hunslet Carr, had established a relationship with the woman in January after they connected online.
During their interactions, she disclosed that she had children, a detail that would later become significant in understanding the full scope of the case.
Prosecutor Martin Robershaw outlined that Rodgerson remained at the woman’s home for a minimum of seven days across January and February.
It was only after the relationship had ended that she learned about his previous convictions.
In her statement to the police, she expressed regret and concern, stating, "If I had known he was a registered sex offender, I would never have entered into a relationship with him, especially considering my children’s safety." Robershaw emphasized that Rodgerson admitted to police that he chose not to disclose his status because he was "sick of police messing up his relationships." This explanation was part of his defense, but it did little to mitigate the seriousness of his actions.
The woman also confirmed to authorities that she had taken precautions, ensuring she did not leave her children alone with Rodgerson during his stay.
Rodgerson faced charges for failing to comply with the notification requirements of a sexual offences prevention order, which was imposed following his previous conviction.
He also admitted to breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
His criminal history includes a conviction from March 2006, when he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.
Following that conviction, he received a 51-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was placed on the sex offender register for life.
The court also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which mandated that he report any address where he stayed for seven or more nights and prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with children.
Further complicating his case, Rodgerson appeared in court in 2019 for failing to comply with sex offender register notification requirements.
His latest breach led to a two-year prison sentence, with Recorder Bryan Cox QC condemning his actions.
The judge stated, "These were serious breaches, aggravated by the fact that the woman was unaware of your previous offences.
You told the police you were sick of the police messing up your relationships.
It’s clear you chose to ignore the court order." Rodgerson’s case underscores ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of sex offender registration and notification systems, especially when offenders choose to conceal their past from new acquaintances, putting vulnerable individuals and children at risk.
