PETER TRAYNER FROM FRESHWATER STRUGGLES WITH SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER VIOLATIONS IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT

A 75-year-old resident of Queens Road, Freshwater, named Peter Trayner, has once again found himself in trouble for failing to adhere to the strict rules governing the sex offenders' register. This latest breach adds to a troubling history that dates back to his original conviction, highlighting ongoing concerns about compliance among high-risk offenders.

Trayner was convicted in February 2017 for possessing indecent images of children, a serious crime that involved the illegal possession of over 700,000 images depicting child sex abuse. His case was prosecuted by Lauren McConnell, who emphasized that Trayner was classified as a high-risk offender due to the nature and volume of the illicit material he possessed. As a result of his conviction, Trayner was sentenced to a significant period of imprisonment, serving 29 months for his actions.

Despite the severity of his original offense, Trayner's compliance with the legal requirements to register as a sex offender has been repeatedly problematic. On May 16, he appeared before magistrates at the Isle of Wight, where he admitted to failing to meet the notification obligations of the sex offenders' register. Specifically, he failed to register his residence in Newport on April 26, a clear violation of the rules. This incident marks his fourth breach since his initial conviction, raising concerns about his adherence to legal obligations and the potential risk he poses to the community.

During the hearing, Trayner's defense attorney, Oscar Vincent, explained that his client, being elderly and suffering from memory lapses, mistakenly believed he had registered on the correct date. According to Vincent, Trayner attended the police station on April 29, thinking he was early for his registration, only to be informed that he was actually two days late. This misunderstanding was attributed to his age and health issues, which the defense argued should be taken into account.

Following the hearing, the case was adjourned to June 13 at the Isle of Wight Crown Court. Trayner remains on unconditional bail until that date. It is noteworthy that this is not his only breach; he previously failed to register a bank card with police last June, further illustrating ongoing difficulties in complying with legal requirements.

The court acknowledged that Trayner is currently subject to two community orders, which are intended to monitor and manage his behavior. However, magistrates were assured that his breaches were not deliberate, suggesting that his lapses are more likely due to age-related issues rather than intentional non-compliance. The case continues to draw attention to the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring that high-risk offenders remain within the bounds of the law, especially when health and memory issues complicate enforcement.