BRISTOL SEX OFFENDER MARTIN WILLIAMS CAUGHT ILLEGALLY DRIVING LORRY IN FRANCE AFTER CRASH IN LOCKLEAZE

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about convicted sex offenders and their compliance with legal restrictions, Martin Williams, a 59-year-old resident of Romney Avenue in the Lockleaze area of Bristol, found himself at the center of a serious incident involving illegal international travel and reckless driving.

Williams, who had a troubling criminal history, was convicted of serious sexual offenses in 2003, resulting in an 11-year prison sentence. Following his release, he was subject to strict notification requirements, which mandated that he inform authorities of his whereabouts and movements. Despite these legal obligations, Williams failed to adhere to these conditions on multiple occasions.

In March 2003, Bristol Crown Court sentenced Williams to 11 years for his sexual offenses. As part of his release conditions, he was ordered to notify authorities of any travel plans, especially when leaving the country. However, in April of the previous year, Williams breached these conditions once again when he drove a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to France, a trip that was not authorized.

According to the prosecution, Grace Flynn, who delivered her case via video link due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, explained that Williams and a crane operative left the UK on April 24 and arrived in France. The incident that ultimately led to his arrest and legal repercussions occurred when Williams crashed his lorry into a motorway toll booth in France. This collision prompted immediate notification to British authorities, who then confirmed Williams’s presence in France to their French counterparts.

The authorities in France promptly informed the UK that Williams was in their country, despite the fact that he had not properly notified the authorities before leaving the UK. This breach of notification requirements was compounded by the fact that an amendment to his driving license indicated he was not legally permitted to operate an HGV, due to previous convictions related to lorry driving activity. This meant that Williams was not only in breach of his notification obligations but also illegally driving a heavy goods vehicle.

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Martin Picton sentenced Williams to 14 months in prison for failing to comply with the notification requirement. During the sentencing, the judge emphasized the gravity of Williams’s actions, stating, “You know you shouldn’t have gone abroad. You chose to do so. You had a choice.” The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and enforcing restrictions on convicted offenders, especially when they attempt to evade legal oversight by traveling internationally and engaging in potentially dangerous activities.