ROBERT NUTBEAM OF WINCHESTER ESCAPES JAIL SENTENCE AFTER BREACHING COURT ORDER

A convicted paedophile, Robert Nutbeam of Winchester, has avoided a prison sentence after admitting to repeatedly visiting a house while children were present, in breach of a court order. Nutbeam was previously jailed in July 2018 at Southampton Crown Court after he was caught by 'paedophile hunters' attempting to meet a boy under 16 for sexual purposes. He admitted the offence, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was imposed.

Earlier this year, police informed authorities that Nutbeam had violated the conditions of the SHPO, which prohibits him from entering or remaining in a household where a male under 16 is present. On Thursday, Nutbeam appeared at Winchester Crown Court and pleaded guilty to three breaches of the order—on July 8, July 27, and August 3.

The court was told that Nutbeam had been assisting a woman with DIY work, during which her son and his friend—both under 16—were present. Prosecutor William Saunders stated, “The communication was normal and didn’t cause any concern.” He explained that the breaches came to light after concerns were raised by another child, which prompted the woman to contact the police.

The woman told authorities she was aware Nutbeam was a registered sex offender and that she had not left him alone with the children. “If I would have known about the court order or restrictions placed on Robert, I would never have let him in my home,” she added.

Prosecutor Saunders argued that Nutbeam’s actions constituted a “deliberate breach,” raising questions about his intent and the potential consequences. In mitigation, Russell Pyne stated that Nutbeam had proactively sought support and self-referred to the Winchester Wellbeing Centre, though his case was closed last year due to Covid-19. Mr. Pyne highlighted that Nutbeam's brief remand in custody provided him an opportunity to reflect.

In sentencing, Recorder Malcolm Gibney acknowledged that the breaches appeared deliberate but noted a degree of naivety in Nutbeam's conduct. He commented, “You know what you are doing, you are intelligent and perfectly capable of understanding the contents of the order.” As a result, Nutbeam was given an 18-month community order, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and attend 10 days of rehabilitation programs.