JASON JACKSON BREACHES COURT ORDER IN HANLEY WHILE JOINING YOUTH ORCHESTRA

In May 2019, a serious breach of a court-imposed restriction occurred involving Jason Jackson, a known sex offender from Hanley. Jackson, aged 46 and employed as a lorry driver, had previously been subjected to a stringent 10-year ban issued in 2009 following his conviction for sex offences. This court order explicitly prohibited him from engaging in any activities that involved children, a restriction that he was now accused of violating.

According to proceedings at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Jackson had informed his probation officer that he was participating in a musical group, specifically claiming he was playing the cello in an orchestra. However, investigations revealed that the orchestra in question was the Biddulph and District Youth and Community Orchestra, a group that includes young members. Evidence showed that Jackson was actively playing the cello alongside two children, which directly contravened the terms of his sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).

Prosecutor Lynne Warrington outlined the case, emphasizing that Jackson had been convicted in 2009 and sentenced to nine months in prison. The SOPO issued at that time contained multiple prohibitions, notably forbidding him from engaging in any work or activity involving individuals under the age of 16. Warrington explained that police officers had visited Jackson’s residence on Commercial Road in Hanley to question him about his involvement with the orchestra. Jackson initially claimed that he was part of the Biddulph Community Orchestra, but further inquiries uncovered that it was actually a youth and community group. Photos from the group’s Facebook page confirmed Jackson’s participation, showing him playing the cello alongside a youth.

When questioned further, Jackson insisted that no children attended the orchestra, a statement contradicted by the evidence. During a police interview, he admitted that he had joined the group in 2018 at the suggestion of his cello instructor. Jackson subsequently pleaded guilty to breaching the SOPO, acknowledging that he had violated the court’s restrictions.

It was also revealed that Jackson had previously breached the order on three separate occasions early on, indicating a pattern of non-compliance. Magistrates noted that the latest breach appeared to be committed without malicious intent or premeditation, but they emphasized that Jackson should have withdrawn from the orchestra once he became aware of the presence of children. As a result, the court sentenced him to six weeks in prison, suspended for six months, and imposed a fine of £50. Additionally, Jackson was ordered to pay £185 in court costs and a £115 victim surcharge, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his violation of the court order.