LINDA WHATTON'S BURNLEY CRIME SCANDAL: SEX OFFENDER'S BREACH LEADS TO CURFEW

In March 2013, a woman from Burnley, Linda Whatton, faced legal consequences after she failed to adhere to the conditions of her suspended sentence following her conviction for a serious sexual offense involving a schoolboy. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in monitoring and enforcing the rehabilitation of sex offenders within the community.

Linda Whatton, now 40 years old and pregnant with her due date in May, was previously convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, a schoolboy who was a family friend. The relationship took place at her residence in Burnley during a clandestine affair that lasted approximately two months. Her conviction was secured at Preston Crown Court, where she was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, along with a two-year supervision order. Additionally, she was mandated to register as a sex offender for a decade.

Despite these strict conditions, Whatton’s compliance with her probation requirements was far from satisfactory. The court was informed that she had been scheduled for a total of 49 appointments with probation officers. Out of these, she attended 37, but she failed to show up for 12 sessions. Four of these absences lacked any reasonable explanation, raising concerns about her commitment to her rehabilitation and supervision.

The situation came to a head when it was revealed that Whatton had missed a crucial probation appointment because she simply did not get out of bed. When questioned, she admitted that she had not contacted the probation service to explain her absence. The court was told that her failure to attend was partly due to an incident where she was assaulted and subsequently hospitalized, which she claimed was the reason for oversleeping. Her legal representative, Laura Heywood, acknowledged her client’s oversight but emphasized that this was her first breach of the court order and that she only has one prior conviction.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett outlined the breach, stating that Whatton had been given multiple opportunities to comply with her supervision but failed to do so. As a result, the court considered her breach serious enough to warrant a penalty. The court imposed a two-month curfew on Whatton, requiring her to remain at her residence on Ada Street in Burnley from 7 pm to 6 am every day. She was also ordered to participate in a compliance activity program to ensure she adhered to her obligations.

Judge Robert Altham addressed the court, expressing a degree of leniency given the circumstances. He pointed out that Whatton had been treated mercifully by not being remanded into immediate custody. The judge emphasized that the original suspended sentence was not overly burdensome and that there was no valid excuse for her failure to comply. He acknowledged her progress and the fact that this was her first breach, deciding to allow the original order to remain in effect, thereby giving her an opportunity to continue her rehabilitation under supervision.