JAMES PARKER FROM ANDOVER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE BOY IN WINCHESTER

An individual from Andover, identified as James Parker, has been sentenced to a significant prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a teenage boy. Parker, aged 45 and residing on Picket Twenty Way in Andover, was found guilty of engaging in four separate instances of sexual activity with a minor, with these offenses occurring over a period stretching from May 2022 to April 2023.

Prior to his trial, Parker had already admitted to 15 breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and had failed to comply with his sexual offender notification requirements. These breaches and violations were considered during his court proceedings, which took place in March. The case was brought before Winchester Crown Court, where Parker faced the consequences of his actions.

On Tuesday, April 30, the court handed down a sentence totaling 14 years of imprisonment for Parker. This sentence comprised up to nine years of actual incarceration, with an additional five years on extended licence, reflecting the severity of his offenses and the risk he posed to the community. The court also took into account three further breaches of his SHPO and notification obligations during the sentencing process.

Background evidence presented during the trial revealed that Parker had a prior conviction from 2019, when he was found guilty of attempting to arrange or facilitate a sexual offense against a child. As part of that conviction, he received a suspended prison sentence and was placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which mandated ongoing restrictions and monitoring.

Further details emerged regarding Parker’s conduct in September 2023. On September 29, he completed a required police station notification but failed to disclose the existence of new bank accounts within the designated timeframe. This omission prompted police officers to conduct a search of Parker’s residence, leading to his arrest. During the search, authorities uncovered additional breaches, including attempts by Parker to change his name, travel outside the United Kingdom, create new bank accounts, and possess internet-enabled devices.

Most concerning was the evidence of contact with a teenage boy. Investigations confirmed that Parker had sexually assaulted the boy on multiple occasions during 2022 and 2023. The court heard that these assaults were separate incidents, further underscoring the ongoing nature of his criminal behavior.

James Parker’s case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in monitoring and prosecuting sex offenders, especially those with prior convictions and breaches of court orders. His sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict enforcement of protective orders to safeguard vulnerable individuals in communities like Andover and beyond.