JOSEPH DUKES BANNED FROM CHILD CONTACT IN BRISTOL PAYS GIRL TO CLEAN FLAT

In September 2010, a disturbing case unfolded in Bristol involving Joseph Dukes, a man with a troubling criminal history and a current ban from having any contact with children under the age of 16. Despite this restriction, Dukes employed a 13-year-old girl to perform chores such as cleaning his flat and running errands, actions that led to serious legal consequences.

According to court records, Dukes, aged 50 and currently homeless after previously residing in a Bristol flat, pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The order had been imposed following his earlier conviction for downloading child pornography, which explicitly prohibited him from any contact with minors under 16. His breach of this order resulted in a 15-month prison sentence handed down by Judge Michael Roach, who emphasized the importance of adhering to restrictions designed to protect children.

Judge Roach stated during sentencing, "You have to realize that you’re not in a position to have contact with children under 16. No matter what you thought you were doing, ‘any contact’ means ‘any contact’." The court was informed that Dukes had a history of sexual offenses, including indecent assaults committed when he was younger. His previous conviction in 2005 for downloading indecent images of children had led to a 15-month jail term and the imposition of a seven-year SOPO.

Evidence presented in court detailed how Dukes was observed in early May crossing the road with a young girl and entering his flat. A woman, who was familiar with the girl, asked her to speak with her, and the girl claimed she was a relative. The girl appeared nervous, prompting police to monitor Dukes’ residence through surveillance.

On June 16, CCTV footage captured the girl entering Dukes’ flat at approximately 5:55 am and leaving nearly two hours later at 7:42 am. Authorities subsequently located the girl and interviewed her. She revealed that she knew Dukes through her mother, who had previously cleaned for him. The girl had been to Dukes’ flat six times, primarily when he was asleep, as he was employed as a night-shift baker. She also mentioned that she had gone to the flat after school with friends when Dukes was not present, often to get milk or receive sweets from him.

When arrested on June 21, Dukes made no comment to police. His defense attorney, Matthew Comer, highlighted that Dukes had already served 95 days in custody and acknowledged that a custodial sentence was inevitable. Comer emphasized that there was no evidence of sexual misconduct on Dukes’ part and pointed out the significant gap in his offending history, which spanned from 1988 to 2005. He also noted Dukes’ ability to maintain employment as a baker for 13 years and described him as a lonely individual with no close family or friends.

Comer further explained that Dukes intended to relocate away from Bristol and was currently without a permanent residence due to his remand status. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the breach and the need to uphold the restrictions meant to safeguard minors from potential harm.