MARK NIXON SHILDON AND CHESTER-LE-STREET SEX OFFENDER BREACHES ORDER IN NORTH EAST

In a serious development in the ongoing efforts to monitor and control sex offenders in the North East of England, Mark Nixon, a known sex offender with a troubling history, has once again found himself in court for breaching a court-imposed order. Nixon, who has ties to both Chester-Le-Street and Shildon, was brought before Durham Crown Court to face charges related to his violation of a sexual offences prevention order that was originally issued in 2009.

According to court records, Nixon, aged 36 at the time, was subject to a strict order following his conviction for sexual activity with a child and sexual assault of a child. The order explicitly prohibited him from making contact with any individual responsible for the care of a child under the age of 16 without prior police approval. Despite these clear restrictions, Nixon engaged in a pattern of contact that alarmed authorities.

Between September and November of the previous year, Nixon made contact with a woman who is responsible for looking after a child, on more than 100 separate occasions. This conduct constituted a direct breach of the court order, prompting police intervention. The breach was uncovered during a routine police visit on November 13, when two of Nixon’s mobile phones were seized for analysis. The subsequent review revealed a staggering 119 text messages exchanged between Nixon and the woman, indicating persistent communication despite the restrictions.

During police interviews, Nixon admitted to the breach but claimed he was unaware that his actions were violating the court order. His legal history is extensive, with 27 previous convictions spanning 57 offences, including prior breaches of similar orders in 2011 and 2014. Notably, the recent breach also violated a suspended sentence imposed in April of the previous year for driving while disqualified, adding further weight to the seriousness of his violations.

At the hearing, Recorder Paul Reid emphasized the importance of adhering to the terms of sexual offences orders, describing them as 'very clear.' Nixon was subsequently sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities. This sentence will run concurrently with his existing suspended sentence, underscoring the court’s concern over his repeated breaches and the potential risk he poses to the community.

In a separate incident in Shildon, Nixon, then aged 29, was also involved in a breach of a sexual harm prevention order. On June 22, police observed Nixon in the same garden as a 12-year-old boy. The police officer’s sighting led to Nixon’s arrest and subsequent court appearance at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. Nixon admitted to breaching the order, which had been issued by Teesside Crown Court in June 2009. This was his third breach of the same order.

During the hearing, Nixon’s solicitor explained that he had been working on a car with the homeowner at the time and was unaware that the child was present in the garden. The case was adjourned until August 16 for further reports, and Nixon was granted conditional bail pending the next hearing. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about Nixon’s compliance with court orders and the broader challenge of managing sex offenders within the community to prevent reoffending.