IAN SMITH'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN MIDDLESBROUGH AND STOCKTON: PAEDOPHILE JAILED FOR REPEATED BREACHES

In May 2012, a disturbing case unfolded involving Ian Smith, a convicted sex offender with a long history of criminal behavior, who was once again sentenced to prison for his blatant disregard of court orders designed to protect children. The incidents took place in Middlesbrough and Stockton, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by individuals with such criminal backgrounds.

Two mothers were left in shock and distress after discovering that their children had come into contact with Smith, despite legal restrictions forbidding such interactions. The court heard that Smith, 51, had become a familiar face at a local pub where the licensee had grown to trust him. Unbeknownst to her, Smith engaged in conversations with her children, which was a direct violation of the sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) imposed on him. The mother expressed her remorse and concern, stating, “I dread to think what could have happened to one of my children. I feel disgusted with myself that I’ve allowed someone with his convictions in my trust and confidence.”

Similarly, another mother, who worked at the same pub, was shocked to learn of Smith’s criminal past after he had spoken to her child. She remarked, “Had I known, there’s no way I’d allow (my child) into the same environment as Ian.” Although there was no evidence of any inappropriate behavior towards the children, the court emphasized that Smith was not permitted to communicate with minors at all, making his actions a clear breach of the court order.

Smith, a resident of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, had previously been subjected to a SOPO that banned him from having contact with anyone under 18 and from accessing the internet. Despite this, he admitted to three breaches: the contact with the two children and using a friend’s computer to obtain an insurance quote online. His criminal record reveals a pattern of sexual offenses dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, including indecent assaults on both males and females.

In 2008, Smith was issued the SOPO along with a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of 17 offenses related to indecent images of children. The following year, he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for 13 breaches of the order. During that period, he was found to have invited children into his flat for sleepovers, provided them with alcohol, and even impregnated a 16-year-old girl. Court proceedings also revealed that he befriended single women to gain access to their children, visited their homes, and bought presents for children, further illustrating his manipulative behavior.

Despite completing two sex offender rehabilitation programs, Smith’s pattern of offending persisted. He was recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his original 42-month sentence after breaching the court orders once again. The court heard that he had continued to pose a significant risk to children and that his actions demonstrated a calculated defiance of the law.

Judge Gillian Matthews QC addressed Smith directly, stating, “You clearly understood the court order and yet you repeatedly breached it. These acts to me have the impression of calculated defiance.” She sentenced him to 18 months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his violations and the need to protect the community.

Earlier, in August 2009, Smith, then aged 48 and residing in Stockton at Brusselton Court, was also jailed for three and a half years for offenses dating back 27 years. His criminal history included convictions for indecent assaults on boys and girls, with three previous incarcerations. Last year, he received a suspended six-month sentence for accessing child pornography online and was subject to an indefinite SOPO banning him from any contact with minors.

Despite these restrictions, Smith admitted to 13 breaches of the order since July of the previous year. Prosecutor Paul Newcombe highlighted that Smith’s actions included inviting children for sleepovers, giving them alcohol, visiting single mothers’ homes, buying children presents, and offering lifts in his car. One mother described her reaction upon learning of his criminal background, saying she felt physically sick and believed he had groomed her family as targets.

Defense lawyer Bryan Russell acknowledged Smith’s guilty pleas and his efforts to lead a more normal life, despite the circumstances. He argued that Smith had been trying to integrate into society and that he had been made acutely aware of the courts’ stance on his breaches. However, Judge George Moorhouse was unequivocal, condemning Smith’s extensive record of sexual offenses and emphasizing the gravity of his repeated violations. Ultimately, Smith was sentenced to a lengthy custodial term, reflecting the court’s view of his dangerousness and the need for community protection.