JASON THOMAS FAILS TO NOTIFY POLICE IN BLACKBURN: SEX OFFENDER'S SECRET LIVING ARRANGEMENTS EXPOSED
In June 2017, a serious breach of legal obligations by a convicted sex offender was brought to light during proceedings at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.The individual in question, Jason Thomas, aged 46 and residing on Shear Brow in Blackburn, was found to have failed to adhere to strict notification requirements mandated by law following his previous conviction.
Thomas had been subject to an indefinite notification order, which obligates him to inform police whenever he spends more than 12 hours at an address where a person under the age of 18 resides.
This legal requirement is designed to monitor and protect minors from potential harm, especially in cases involving sexual offenses.
However, authorities discovered that Thomas had not complied with these obligations during a period when he was staying overnight at his girlfriend’s residence.
The court heard that Thomas’s visits to his girlfriend’s home occurred at a time when her teenage daughter was also present.
The girl’s mother, who had invited Thomas into her home, was unaware of his criminal past at the time.
She stated to police that she did not know whether Thomas had ever been alone with her daughter, highlighting the potential risk involved in his unreported presence.
Prosecutor Alex Mann explained that Thomas had been convicted previously for indecently assaulting a female child, which led to the imposition of the indefinite notification order.
Despite this, Thomas failed to inform the police about his stays at the address, which is a direct violation of the legal requirements.
The police conducted a compliance visit and found that Thomas initially denied any ongoing relationships, claiming he was not seeing anyone.
However, further investigation revealed that he was indeed involved with two individuals, and messages on his phone confirmed his relationship status.
Mrs.
Mann emphasized that the primary purpose of the notification order is to safeguard children, not just the adults involved.
She pointed out that the presence of the teenage girl at Thomas’s girlfriend’s house made his failure to report particularly concerning.
The police also learned that Thomas had not disclosed his previous convictions to the woman he was involved with, raising further questions about his transparency and compliance.
Following the guilty plea to three counts of failing to comply with the notification requirements, Thomas was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court.
The case underscores the importance of strict adherence to notification laws designed to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm posed by convicted offenders.
