JOHN CLEMENTS FROM EXETER REPEATEDLY BREACHES SEX OFFENDER ORDERS IN DEVON AND BRISTOL
In April 2017, the city of Exeter found itself once again at the center of a disturbing case involving John Clements, a known sex offender with a long history of violations and breaches of court orders.Clements, aged 49 and a resident of Exeter, was taken back into custody after he was found to have made contact with a young girl despite being under strict legal restrictions that prohibit such interactions.
According to reports, Clements contacted a girl under the age of 16 on two separate occasions, specifically on March 14 and March 15.
These actions occurred despite the existence of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that was imposed on him following his previous convictions.
This order was handed down when he was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court in January 2014, a sentence that was part of a series of measures aimed at restricting his movements and interactions with minors.
John Clements’ criminal history is extensive and troubling.
He was initially jailed for five years after being convicted of exposing himself to two 12-year-old girls in a playground in Exeter.
His past convictions include multiple breaches of the court-mandated SOPO, which explicitly banned him from contacting girls, entering playgrounds, or removing his clothes in public.
Despite these restrictions, Clements has repeatedly violated the terms of his orders, demonstrating a pattern of defiance and ongoing risk to the community.
Following his latest breach, Clements was recalled to prison on licence, meaning he will serve the remainder of his sentence behind bars.
His release has been delayed until June of the following year, as he remains under close supervision.
His legal representative, barrister Michael Green, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “He is realistic in his expectations.
There is no application for a probation report.” The court, presided over by Judge Paul Darlow, decided to adjourn sentencing until the upcoming Friday, allowing Clements the opportunity to attend court proceedings.
Looking back at his criminal past, Clements’ notoriety in the region is well established.
In 2014, he was convicted of a particularly disturbing offense involving the deliberate modification of his clothing to facilitate his predatory behavior.
He had cut a large hole in his trousers, which he concealed with a coat or plastic bag, and used this method to expose himself to young girls at a play park in Bristol.
His actions at the time caused widespread alarm and led to his being classified as one of Britain’s most infamous flashers.
His method involved carefully cutting out a dinner plate-sized hole in his trousers, then covering it with a coat or plastic until he was close enough to reveal himself.
This pattern of behavior was not isolated to Bristol; Clements has a history of offending across the West Country, with convictions spanning from Plymouth to Bristol, Exeter, and Torquay.
His criminal record includes nine previous convictions for exposure and gross indecency, with offenses dating back to when he was just 22 years old.
During his 2014 trial, Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, described Clements as a significant danger to the public, emphasizing the high risk of reoffending.
The judge highlighted the escalation in his offending behavior, noting that while his previous crimes involved adult women, his recent actions targeted young girls, which marked a disturbing increase in severity.
Clements’ repeated violations of the SOPO, including entering prohibited areas such as schools and playgrounds, underscored his persistent threat to community safety.
In March of that year, police responded to reports from two young girls aged 11 and 12 at a play area on Horfield Road in Bristol.
The girls had witnessed Clements exposing himself while they played on the swings.
Both victims provided impact statements expressing their shock and disgust at the incident.
The police investigation revealed that Clements had a long history of similar offenses, with previous convictions for gross indecency and exposure, including incidents in Teignbridge, Plymouth, Exeter, and Torquay.
Defense attorney Mr.
Robert Linford argued that the best course of action for Clements would be participation in a community-based sex offenders’ program rather than incarceration, citing the potential for rehabilitation.
However, the court’s decision reflected the serious nature of his offenses and the high risk he posed, leading to a five-year prison sentence.
Earlier, in October 2009, Clements was charged with breaching his sex offenders’ order by approaching a child at a city swimming pool in Exeter.
He was accused of entering the Riverside Leisure Centre’s children’s learner pool viewing area and attempting to approach a child, actions that directly violated the restrictions placed upon him.
Clements pleaded not guilty to these charges, which further demonstrated his ongoing disregard for court orders and community safety.
Throughout his criminal history, John Clements has been regarded as a significant danger to children and the community at large.
His repeated breaches and disturbing pattern of behavior have kept him under scrutiny, and authorities continue to monitor his activities closely.
The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of strict enforcement of court orders and the ongoing challenges faced in managing high-risk offenders in society.
