KARL FRANCIS FROM LLANDRINDOD WELLS FINED FOR COURT ORDER VIOLATION

In March 2021, a serious legal breach involving Karl Francis, a known sex offender from Llandrindod Wells, came to light during a court hearing at the local Magistrates Court. The case centered around Francis's failure to adhere to the strict conditions imposed by his court-mandated notification order, which is a crucial part of his ongoing legal obligations following his registration as a sex offender.

Under the terms of his registration, Karl Francis was required to inform police of any change of address within a seven-year period after signing onto the sex offender’s register in 2016. This legal requirement is designed to ensure that authorities can monitor and manage the whereabouts of offenders, thereby safeguarding the community. Failure to comply with this obligation constitutes a breach of the court order and can lead to legal penalties.

In September of the previous year, Francis did notify Dyfed Powys Police that he was residing in the Park Crescent area of Llandrindod Wells. However, the situation changed when, on November 14, police officers contacted him regarding another matter. During this interaction, Francis provided a different address—Christchurch—claiming he had moved there five days earlier. This new address was not previously reported to the authorities, and thus, he had failed to notify police of his change of residence as required by law.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies outlined these facts during the hearing, emphasizing that Francis’s failure to update his address was a clear breach of his notification order. Francis, who was present in court, pleaded guilty to this violation, acknowledging his non-compliance.

Representing Francis, his solicitor Gareth Walters explained that his client’s circumstances at the time were chaotic. Mr. Walters revealed that Francis’s life was in “disarray” and that he was living in a tent in Llandrindod Wells, indicating a period of homelessness. He further stated that Francis had not notified police of his address change because he was currently of no fixed abode. Despite this, Mr. Walters assured the court that Francis was now in compliance with the notification order.

Additionally, Mr. Walters informed the court that his client was under a suspended prison sentence issued by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court, which was imposed after the current breach. This suspended sentence covered four previous breaches of court orders and a separate charge related to possessing a bladed article, highlighting a pattern of non-compliance and concerning behavior.

Probation officer Donna Davies provided further context, explaining that Francis was currently sleeping rough after being evicted from a premises in Hereford that was providing emergency housing. The eviction was reportedly due to anti-social behavior, which underscores the ongoing difficulties faced by the offender.

In response to the breach, magistrates issued a stern warning to Francis, cautioning that any future violations could result in the activation of his suspended prison sentence. As part of the penalty, Francis was fined £80, with additional costs of £85 and a surcharge of £34 to be paid. The court’s decision underscores the importance of compliance with legal obligations for registered offenders and the serious consequences of neglecting these duties.