JEREMY FARROW: BRISTOL AND COTHAM PAEDOPHILE'S CRIMES REVEALED

In October 2017, Jeremy Farrow, a 49-year-old convicted sex offender currently incarcerated at HMP Exeter, faced serious allegations and court proceedings related to his breaches of legal orders and his predatory behavior in the Bristol and Cotham areas. Previously residing in Bishops Lydeard, Farrow’s criminal history and recent misconduct have once again brought to light the dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses.

Farrow’s past conviction dates back to 2003 when he was found guilty of gross indecency with a child. As part of his sentence, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), which imposed strict conditions on his conduct. Among these conditions was the requirement that he notify police within three days if he used an alias, and that he was prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16. Despite these restrictions, Farrow was found to have violated the order multiple times.

The prosecution, led by Caroline Bolt, detailed how Farrow had used a false identity to join a table tennis club based at West Monkton Primary School near Taunton, as well as attending classes at Blackbrook Leisure Centre in Taunton. It was revealed that he had used an alias long enough to participate in five sessions at the leisure centre and two at the school. When police apprehended him, Farrow claimed that a volunteer at the club had filled out the registration forms for him and had written an incorrect name, which he used as an excuse for his deception.

Further disturbing incidents occurred on August 18 of that year, when Farrow approached two young boys who were playing on their scooters. He engaged them by revealing his address and boasting about having expensive bikes at his home, inviting the boys to come and see them. The boys declined, but two days later, around 7 pm, they encountered Farrow again. This time, he blocked their path and asked them to walk him home. The boys refused and left the scene, but they believed he was following them, prompting them to hide in a nearby garden for safety.

Farrow’s history of breaching his orders is extensive, with violations recorded in 2009, 2011, and 2013. He has previously served a prison sentence of 20 months for his offenses. During sentencing, Judge David Ticehurst condemned Farrow’s actions, stating, “You failed to comply with your orders, used a false name, and joined a club based at a primary school — no doubt driven by your perverted desire to get close to young boys to abuse them.” The judge emphasized the seriousness of his persistent offending and highlighted the need for Farrow to seek help to address his underlying issues. The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison for failing to notify police about his alias and an additional three years for breaches of the SHPO, with all sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, Farrow was ordered to pay a surcharge of £170, and the two boys received an indefinite restraining order against him.

In a separate case dating back to November 2011, Farrow’s predatory behavior was again exposed. He was convicted of exposing himself to young boys along the Bristol to Bath cycle path, causing significant distress to his victims, all under the age of ten. The incidents included grabbing two children while they were picking blackberries and exposing himself in public toilets near the cycle track. Witnesses’ reports led to his arrest, and he admitted to three charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of children under 13, with five additional charges taken into consideration. Bristol Crown Court sentenced him to three years in prison, along with a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) that prohibited him from unsupervised contact with boys under 16 and from approaching within 50 meters of the cycle path until further notice. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Prosecutor Neil Treharne detailed how Farrow’s offenses on the cycle path included flashing in front of a ten-year-old boy in a public toilet on September 16, and approaching two boys aged six and seven on September 23, exposing himself and pretending to show them a grasshopper. The same day, Farrow was seen lying on a bench at Siston Common, exposing himself again in front of boys under ten. Witnesses alerted police, who located and arrested him after a police chase through Railway Terrace. The court noted that Farrow was already a registered sex offender with a prior conviction for gross indecency involving a nine-year-old boy whom he detained against his will in woods.

Farrow’s defense, represented by Martin Lanchester, claimed that his client’s offenses stemmed from a lack of sexual contact and that he had been attacked by adults. However, Judge Martin Picton condemned his actions, stating, “These were really serious offenses. You really frightened those boys. It has had a significant impact on their confidence and sense of safety. Children should be able to enjoy their lives without fear of predators.”

In December 2009, Farrow’s manipulative tendencies were again demonstrated when he used Facebook and his Xbox gaming console to groom a 14-year-old boy from Bristol. Despite being banned from contacting boys under 16 following his 2003 conviction, Farrow had amassed 84 school-age “friends” on Facebook. He began to communicate with a 14-year-old boy, exchanging messages and playing online games. He also obtained the boy’s mobile number through Facebook and started calling and texting him. When Farrow asked the boy to perform a sex act, the boy refused and reported the incident to his parents, leading to police involvement.

Farrow’s attempts to meet the boy in person included offering to buy him Xbox games if he agreed to meet. He admitted to breaching his SOPO and attempting to facilitate a child sex offense. The court sentenced him to two and a half years in prison. Judge Mark Horton emphasized the importance of vigilant parenting and monitoring children’s online activities, describing Farrow as a “determined” and “manipulative sexual predator.” The judge also ordered Farrow to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years and imposed an indefinite SOPO.

Throughout these cases, Jeremy Farrow’s pattern of offending and breach of legal restrictions underscores the ongoing threat he poses to children in the Bristol and Cotham areas. His actions have caused significant trauma to his victims and highlight the importance of strict enforcement of orders and vigilant supervision to protect vulnerable young people from predatory individuals.