JAMES MCALPINE EXETER PAEDOPHILE ON THE RUN AGAIN AFTER BREAKING SEX OFFENDER CONDITIONS

In November 2010, authorities revealed that James McAlpine, a convicted paedophile with a troubling history linked to Exeter, was once again under scrutiny after breaching the conditions of his release. McAlpine, who had previously been incarcerated for life due to his heinous crimes against young boys, was caught in a situation that raised serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of monitoring systems.

McAlpine, aged 42 at the time, had a notorious past that included a life sentence handed down in 2002 for multiple offences involving minors. His criminal activities came to light after he had changed his name to Jay Powers in an attempt to evade detection and avoid the restrictions placed upon him as a registered sex offender. Despite his efforts to conceal his identity, he was released from prison the previous year, only to find himself back behind bars shortly thereafter.

The reason for his re-incarceration stemmed from his failure to adhere to the strict conditions imposed on sex offenders. Specifically, McAlpine did not notify police that he had been staying at an address that was not his own for more than seven days, a clear violation of the terms of his registration. Under the alias Jay Powers, he appeared before Exeter Crown Court to face charges of failing to comply with the sex offenders' register. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to an additional eight months in prison. It was noted that he had already served 110 days on remand, and he was scheduled for release once again.

While police officials from Devon and Cornwall confirmed that they could not disclose his exact release date, they assured the public that they would continue to monitor him closely. A police spokesperson emphasized their commitment to tracking his movements and ensuring he remains under supervision, given his history and recent violations.

McAlpine’s criminal record is extensive and deeply troubling. His initial conviction in September 2002 involved a series of sexual offences, including a serious assault on a 13-year-old boy. At that time, he was 34 years old and from Howell Road, Exeter. His crimes included 12 sex charges, with allegations of indecent assaults, gross indecency, and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison for these offences, but his criminal activities did not end there.

Following his release in November 1998, McAlpine was required to register as a sex offender and be under police supervision. However, he chose to go underground by changing his name, which allowed him to continue working as a tennis coach in Devon. His position gave him access to young boys, some of whom he met through his coaching activities. The court heard that he even moved in with the mother of one of his victims, further complicating his case.

The authorities uncovered his deception after one of the boys contacted Childline, and another confided in a friend about the abuse. Prosecutor Stephen Mooney highlighted the case as an example of how legislative efforts to monitor sex offenders can be undermined by individuals like McAlpine, who are persistent and manipulative. His defense attorney, Martin Steen, argued that McAlpine changed his name out of fear of vigilante attacks, a claim that did little to mitigate the severity of his crimes.

Judge Graham Cottle did not hold back in his sentencing remarks, describing McAlpine as a highly dangerous individual who targeted and groomed vulnerable boys. The judge condemned his devious tactics and manipulative behavior, emphasizing the threat he posed to the community. The case prompted discussions about the need for legislative reforms, with a Home Office spokesperson indicating that proposals regarding the use of deed polls and identity changes would be published in the autumn, aiming to strengthen measures against offenders like McAlpine.