MICHAEL WHITE FROM WESTBURY JAILED FOR FAILING TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER IN WILTSHIRE

In March 2004, Michael White, a known sex offender residing in Westbury, was sentenced to a total of three months in prison after he was found guilty of failing to inform police of his current address and identity. White, aged 23, had previously been placed on the sex offenders' register for a decade following a conviction related to underage sexual activity with a girl. His recent failure to update authorities about his whereabouts led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.

White's troubles began when he moved into Westbury, Wiltshire, in October 2003. He initially stayed with his brother in the area and found employment at the Chicago Rock Café. However, his employment was short-lived, and he soon moved in with a female companion. During the Christmas period, he remained in the Westbury area, and in January, he officially changed his address on official records, attempting to conceal his true location from authorities.

On February 5, 2004, police officers on duty in Westbury Leigh encountered White amidst a fight involving two men. During the interaction, officers took White's details, which they entered into their computer system. It was then that they discovered White was wanted by authorities for failing to comply with the registration requirements. White was promptly arrested and remanded in custody.

Further investigation revealed that White had previously failed to appear before a court in Plymouth on September 5 and November 13 of the previous year. He had admitted to authorities that he had not registered his residence while living in Plymouth. Despite being aware of his legal obligations, White chose not to update his details, citing his employment and relationship commitments as reasons for his inaction.

During his police interview, White acknowledged that his failure to register was wrong. His defense lawyer, Chris Jones, argued that White had eventually surrendered himself to police in both Plymouth and Wiltshire and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Jones emphasized that White recognized the importance of complying with the registration laws and expressed a desire to lead a normal, productive life. He highlighted White's previous work as an accounts manager and chef, asserting that he had no contact with underage girls and was now focused on mature relationships.

White, who had no fixed address at the time of sentencing, was given concurrent sentences: three months for each of the failure-to-notify charges, two months for failing to appear in court in September, and one month for failing to appear in November. All sentences were to run simultaneously, reflecting the seriousness of his repeated non-compliance and failure to adhere to legal requirements concerning sex offender registration.