PATRICK CUNNINGTON AND SHOCKING BEHAVIOR IN SWINDON

A man accused of breaching a sexual risk order (SRO) by engaging in unsolicited communication with young girls was brought before Swindon Magistrates Court, where he admitted to his ninth breach of this specific order. Patrick Cunnington, aged 24, had been previously granted the SRO in 2018, which explicitly prohibits him from making contact with anyone under the age of 16. This latest breach occurred despite his ongoing restrictions, raising serious concerns about public safety and his legal compliance.

Cunnington, who was already on bail for two other breaches of his order, was arrested on Tuesday, September 7, and remained in police custody overnight before his court appearance on September 8. During the hearing, he was supported by his girlfriend of eight months, who sat alongside him as proceedings took place. The case was prompted by new allegations and evidence pointing to his continued and inappropriate contact with minors.

According to Crown prosecutor Pauline Lambert, Cunnington resides on Prospect Hill in Old Town and lives in a shared house. She explained that while outside his residence, he would engage with his neighbor, a woman unfamiliar with his past convictions, and her two children, aged 9 and 11. The neighbor’s statement detailed how he appeared friendly, often taking time to speak with her children, asking about their holiday activities and their new hamster. She estimated that he had conversed with the youngsters approximately 30 times between April and early September of that year.

Further details revealed that Cunnington had added the neighbor as a friend on Facebook on August 21. The neighbor posted a photograph of her children in their school uniforms, prompting Cunnington to comment, “Awh, have fun,” accompanied by laughing emojis. This online interaction alarmed the mother, especially when her ex-partner questioned her about her Facebook friendship with him. Upon realizing her concern, she searched his name online, discovered his criminal history, and immediately contacted Wiltshire Police to report his suspicious behavior.

The mother also disclosed that for many of the occasions he communicated with her children, she was present, observing from nearby. However, on numerous other occasions, her children were alone, and Cunnington was unsupervised with them, which is a direct violation of the terms of his SRO.

When police arrived at the address armed with this recent information, they found Cunnington in a confrontational state. He lunged at officers with clenched fists, necessitating restraint and the application of handcuffs to prevent any possible assault. After he had calmed down, the handcuffs were removed, and he was taken into custody. The incident highlighted the potential danger he posed, leading authorities to seek his remand in custody.

During the hearing, Ms. Lambert emphasized the seriousness of the case, highlighting that Cunnington was currently on bail for previous breaches and that this new offense had been committed while he was under supervision. She stressed that the Crown's case might warrant a sentencing hearing at the Crown Court and requested the magistrates deny bail, citing the high risk of reoffending and potential danger to children.

The prosecution argued that Cunnington’s actions demonstrated a pattern of ongoing risk, and that there were no conditions that could effectively prevent further offenses, particularly considering his history and recent conduct. They pointed out that he did not comply with his existing restrictions or bail conditions, which further underscored the need for remand.

Conversely, Charlotte Frizzell, defending Cunnington, argued that remanding her client to prison would not be beneficial. She suggested that he is a socially immature individual with significant trust issues. The defense noted that he frequently exchanges pleasantries with the children when passing by and claims that his interactions are merely neighborly. Frizzell also pointed out that Cunnington's girlfriend, who was present in court, has been involved in his life and that there had been past instances where the children's mother had asked his girlfriend to watch her children, which he refused.

The magistrates, after brief deliberation, decided to remand Cunnington into custody. They announced that the case would be scheduled for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court in October, acknowledging the severity of the breaches and the ongoing concerns about his potential for further harm.