ROBERT THURSTON'S FELIXSTOWE CRIMINAL RECORD: SIX BREACHES OF COURT ORDERS LEAD TO 17-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE

In a recent case heard at Ipswich Crown Court, Robert Thurston, a resident of Felixstowe, was sentenced to 17 months in prison after admitting to his sixth breach of a court-mandated order. The breach involved failing to notify police of his change of address, a requirement imposed following his previous convictions and court orders.

Thurston, who was previously sentenced to nine years in prison in 1992 for serious offenses, was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Despite this, the prosecution, led by Mr. Sadd, outlined that Thurston had repeatedly failed to comply with the notification requirements over the years. The breaches occurred in March 1999, April 2001, October 2006, February 2010, and August 2011. The latter breach was particularly significant because Thurston was serving a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at the time. His failure to notify police of his change of address in August 2011 was considered a violation of the suspended sentence conditions.

At the hearing, Thurston, aged 48 and residing on Kemsley Road in Felixstowe, admitted to failing to adhere to the rules of the Sex Offenders’ Register and breaching his suspended sentence. Judge David Goodin, in passing sentence, emphasized the importance of the notification requirements, stating that their primary purpose is to protect the public. The judge underscored that breaches of such orders undermine public confidence in the justice system and must be taken seriously.

Mr. Sadd highlighted Thurston’s itinerant lifestyle, noting that over the years, he had consistently refused to follow the rules and inform authorities of his whereabouts. The latest breach in August involved Thurston telling police officers that he was aware of his obligation to notify them of any address change but dismissively stated, “he wasn’t into all that.”

Representing Thurston, solicitor Richard Kelly explained that his client had no fixed residence and that the notification requirements posed a significant burden given his transient lifestyle. Thurston and his wife frequently moved between caravan sites, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and other temporary accommodations, making compliance challenging. The court took these circumstances into account but ultimately decided on a 17-month sentence, deducting the 48 days Thurston had already spent in custody. The sentence aims to reinforce the importance of adhering to court orders designed to safeguard the community from known offenders.