MICHAEL SHARPE FROM MIDDLESBROUGH AND THORNABY SENT BACK TO JAIL FOR REPEATEDLY BREACHING SEX OFFENDER BANS

In a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing convicted sex offenders, Michael Sharpe, a man with a troubling history of breaching court-imposed restrictions, has been sentenced to a further 12 months in prison. The recent incident occurred in Middlesbrough and Thornaby, where Sharpe was found to have repeatedly violated the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), despite previous convictions and lengthy sentences.

Sharpe, aged 50, was caught in a house with seven children, the youngest of whom was only two years old. This incident took place merely two months after his release from a four-year incarceration for similar violations. His criminal record is extensive, beginning with a conviction in 2004 for indecent assault. At that time, he was convicted for driving a teenage girl to Hurworth Burn reservoir near Wingate, County Durham, and abusing her. Following this conviction, a SOPO was imposed to restrict his contact with children and prevent him from being in environments where children are present.

Despite these legal restrictions, Sharpe has breached the order on no fewer than 15 occasions over the past six years. His breaches include multiple instances in 2007, when he flouted the order three times, and in 2009, when he was sentenced to 30 months in prison for allowing children into his home without informing their parents of his past offenses. Further violations occurred in April 2011, after he was sentenced to four years for engaging in sexual activity with a homeless 17-year-old at his Thornaby residence in Stockton. During that period, he also spent time with children she was babysitting, raising serious concerns about his ongoing risk to the community.

After his release in March of this year, Sharpe’s actions continued to draw attention. He visited the home of a former prison cell-mate, where a woman was caring for her four children and three grandchildren. Sharpe did not disclose his criminal history to the grandmother but claimed he had informed his friend about his prison time and the restrictions he was under. According to court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, Sharpe felt unable to tell the woman that he could not be there, and he left the house shortly after having a cup of tea offered to him.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs detailed that Sharpe returned to the same house on the following two days, but only to drop off items and collect money, never entering the premises again. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court’s orders and the safety of those involved. During the hearing, defense lawyer Julian Gaskin requested that the judge consider a suspended sentence, emphasizing that Sharpe was already under strict supervision. However, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, was unequivocal in his judgment.

Addressing Sharpe directly, the judge stated, “I cannot agree with those submissions... you knew precisely what was meant by that order, because you had repeatedly breached it. Within months of your release, you breached it again... you did not leave as soon as you realised there were children there and you went back on two occasions.”

At the time of sentencing, Sharpe’s most recent address was listed as Dorothy Street, Middlesbrough. He pleaded guilty to three breaches of the SOPO and was consequently sentenced to 12 months in prison, a stark reminder of the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect vulnerable members of the community.