KARL TOWNSEND, THE DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER FROM WARWICK, RETURNED TO JAIL AFTER BREACHING ORDER

In July 2023, a high-risk sex offender named Karl Townsend was swiftly returned to incarceration after violating a court-imposed Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Townsend, aged 49, had been released from prison in March of the same year and was residing in Emscote Road, Warwick. His release followed a lengthy 10-year extended sentence he served for sexual assault on an adult woman, coupled with a troubling history of similar predatory behavior.

As part of his release conditions, Townsend was subjected to a SOPO that explicitly prohibited him from loitering in any public or private place. Despite these restrictions, his movements soon drew suspicion.

On June 10th, Townsend’s monitoring device indicated that he left his residence and traveled into Leamington. During this period, he was observed spending time in Victoria Park and the Pump Room Gardens, both popular public spaces in the area. His activities did not go unnoticed, and within approximately 35 minutes, authorities apprehended him on Warwick New Road, in Leamington.

During his arrest, officers noted that Townsend had altered his appearance by donning a dark-colored hairpiece, likely in an attempt to disguise himself from surveillance or witnesses. This act of attempting to conceal his identity underscored the seriousness of his breach.

Following his arrest, Townsend was brought before Warwick Crown Court, where he faced charges related to his violation of the SOPO. Last week, he was sentenced to 28 months in prison for his misconduct.

His criminal history in Warwick and the surrounding areas is extensive. Back in July 2002, Townsend was involved in a disturbing incident that drew significant attention. At that time, he was 28 years old and living on Emscote Road, Warwick.

He was convicted of dragging a terrified young woman into a churchyard near Leamington’s parish church and molesting her. Townsend had a known history of similar offenses, which led to him being ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

During the court proceedings, Townsend pleaded not guilty to attempting to rape the young woman during the April incident but admitted to indecently assaulting her. The prosecutor, Mohammed Latif, accepted his plea.

The victim, a 21-year-old woman, was attacked late at night as she walked past the church. She was grabbed from behind and dragged into the churchyard, where Townsend committed the assault. The judge, James Pyke, remanded Townsend in custody and warned him that a substantial prison sentence was imminent.

This case bears a disturbing resemblance to Townsend’s earlier attacks in Nuneaton, for which he was jailed in 1998. Court records reveal that Townsend derived sexual gratification from attacking women walking alone at night, a pattern that has haunted the community for years.