MARK CHAMBERS, WORCESTER, BANNED FROM COURT HEARINGS INVOLVING CHILDREN AND SEXUAL CASES

In December 2011, Mark Chambers, a convicted sex offender from Worcester, was officially banned from attending court hearings related to children, sexual crimes, or violent incidents. During a recent trial at Worcester Crown Court, Chambers was removed from the public gallery following reports of inappropriate behaviour. He had previously been subject to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) after being convicted of possessing 128,920 indecent images of children. The Crown Prosecution Service, supported by West Mercia Police, applied to add an additional restriction to the SOPO to prevent Chambers from attending relevant court cases.

Chambers, 44, of Angel Place, Worcester, did not oppose the proposed extension but stated that he did not agree with all the inferences made about him during court proceedings. Mr. Stephen Davies, representing the CPS and police, explained that early in the month, a trial had been temporarily adjourned after witnesses complained about Chambers' behaviour in the public gallery. As a result, he was ejected from the courtroom.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC noted that Chambers had caused some disturbance by "making a bit of a fuss" during the incident. However, he emphasized that he did not want to discourage public attendance at court hearings. Consequently, the judge approved a new clause within the SOPO, which restricts Chambers from attending court sessions unless he has prior written permission from either his probation risk manager or a police risk manager.