NICKY KERRY FOUND LIVING IN TENT NEAR SWINDON SCHOOL AFTER FAILING TO NOTIFY POLICE

In October 2005, a disturbing incident unfolded in Swindon when a convicted sex offender was discovered residing in a makeshift tent on a playing field close to a local school. The individual, identified as Nicky Kerry, 29, had established his temporary residence in the open, raising serious concerns among residents, parents, and authorities alike.

It was only after Kerry's change of address that he was brought before Swindon Magistrates' Court to face charges related to his failure to comply with legal obligations. As a registered sex offender, Kerry was mandated to inform the police of any change in his residence within three days of moving. However, he admitted to neglecting this duty, which led to his appearance in court. He pleaded guilty to the charge of not notifying the police within the required timeframe and was subsequently fined £100, along with an order to pay £70 in court costs.

The court proceedings revealed that Kerry had been convicted in March at Reading Crown Court of assaulting a young girl under the age of 16. As part of his sentence, he was placed on the sex offenders' register for a period of five years, a legal requirement intended to monitor and manage his conduct. The prosecution, led by Anna Humphries, detailed Kerry's recent movements following his eviction from Davis House, a Salvation Army centre located on Turl Street in Swindon. Kerry had been asked to leave the centre on September 27 due to unpaid rent of £140.

Following his eviction, Kerry initially camped behind the Department of Social Security office on Princes Street with a girlfriend. His situation deteriorated further when he moved to Moredon Fields, near Hreod Parkway School, where he pitched his tent on the open grounds. According to Mrs. Humphries, Kerry had been camping there for over a week before police intervened. During his arrest, Kerry offered various excuses, including claiming he lacked enough money to make a phone call and did not know the police contact number. Despite these reasons, he accepted responsibility for his actions.

Defense lawyer Stephen Weighell commented on Kerry's circumstances, stating, “Mr. Kerry left Davis House with arrears of £140 and was very embarrassed about it. He’s now sorting himself out and has found acceptable accommodation.”

Contradicting earlier reports, Hreod Parkway's headteacher Andrew Fleet clarified that Kerry's tent was not within the school grounds but was located in the nearby playing fields, which are separate from the school property. This distinction was made following the court case, emphasizing that the tent was in an area accessible to the public.

Local officials expressed concern over Kerry's ability to remain under police surveillance. Garry Perkins, a councillor representing Shaw and Nine Elms and the cabinet member for children’s services, voiced his apprehension: “It’s disturbing the police can lose contact with him. One would question the value of having a sex offender’s list if people can’t be found.”

Students at Hreod Parkway School also reacted to the situation. Thirteen-year-old Sophie recounted her experience: “We were doing cross-country running on Tuesday and saw a tent on the football pitch. It was a two-person tent, and there was a man standing nearby watching us. He was pretending to play golf, but we had a teacher with us. It’s scary, knowing what my mum has just told me.”

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring and management of convicted sex offenders, especially when they choose to live in public or semi-public spaces, raising questions about community safety and the effectiveness of current systems.