PAUL RICHARDS FROM STOCKTON SENTENCED FOR BREACHING SEX OFFENDER ORDER IN TEESSIDE
In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of convicted sex offenders, Paul Richards, a 51-year-old resident of Stockton, has been returned to prison after breaching a strict court order designed to prevent him from engaging in inappropriate relationships.Richards, who has a documented history of serious criminal behavior including kidnapping, dishonesty, harassment, drug possession, and 13 sex crimes, has long been under the supervision of law enforcement authorities.
In 2012, Teesside magistrates imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on him, a legal measure intended to restrict his interactions with women and limit his access to the internet.
The order explicitly forbids Richards from forming or entering into any friendship or romantic relationship with any female without prior notification to the police.
Additionally, it prohibits him from using any device capable of accessing the internet, aiming to prevent him from engaging in further illicit communications.
Despite these restrictions, Richards has demonstrated a pattern of deception and non-compliance.
His latest breach came to light during a police visit to his Stockton home in March of this year, when officers conducted a routine review of his compliance with the SOPO.
During the inspection, Richards produced a mobile phone for examination.
Prosecutor Rachael Masters explained to the court that the phone had been used to make several calls to an individual, which Richards initially claimed was someone from the local council’s housing department.
However, further investigation revealed that the phone number belonged to a woman Richards had met in Stockton’s town center, with whom he had exchanged contact details.
Following this discovery, police arrested Richards and searched his residence.
They uncovered another mobile phone hidden within a wardrobe, along with setup documents and a receipt for the device.
During police interviews, Richards admitted to meeting the woman but insisted that he did not discuss their meeting with the authorities because he considered her a friend and claimed he had not made any romantic advances.
He acknowledged that there had been some flirting but maintained that he had no further contact with her.
Richards pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his SOPO.
His criminal record is extensive, with his first sex conviction dating back to 1983.
Over the years, he has been convicted of various offenses, including failing to comply with sex offender register notification requirements, which underscores the ongoing concerns about his risk to the community.
Nicci Horton, representing Richards, argued that her client was aware he had not produced his phone during the police visit but had informed his mother about its existence.
She emphasized that no suspicious content was ever found on the device.
Horton acknowledged Richards’ lengthy history of offending and high-risk status but pointed out that he has, in recent years, shown some capacity to confront and address his past behavior.
In sentencing, Judge Stephen Ashurst sentenced Richards to 15 months in prison.
Addressing the court, the judge emphasized the importance of the SOPO in protecting the public and ensuring Richards’ compliance.
He stated, “Your SOPO put an obligation on you to notify the police of any relationships you formed with any women.
The purpose of this was not to hamper your lifestyle but to protect others from risk of you committing offences, and to protect you from yourself.” Judge Ashurst also criticized Richards for his lack of candor, describing his behavior as devious.
“Your lack of candour with the police strikes me as being devious as you were aware you had a responsibility to notify them and you failed to do so,” he added, underscoring the seriousness of the breach and the need for strict punishment to prevent further violations.
