TENBY SEX OFFENDER STEPHEN JAMES RECAPTURED AFTER FAILING TO COMPLY WITH RELEASE CONDITIONS

In a significant development in the ongoing efforts to monitor convicted sex offenders, police have successfully apprehended Stephen James, a man with a troubling history linked to the coastal town of Tenby. The 52-year-old, who was previously convicted of sexual assault charges involving minors, had been evading authorities after failing to adhere to the strict conditions of his release license.

On the evening of Thursday, June 20, Dyfed-Powys Police issued a public appeal, urging residents and anyone with information to come forward regarding James’s whereabouts. Known for his tendency to sleep rough along the scenic coastal areas, James had been missing from the radar of law enforcement, raising concerns about his compliance with the legal restrictions placed upon him.

James, who is known to have no fixed address, has been a familiar figure in the Tenby area, often seen in the vicinity of the town’s beaches and streets. The police spokesperson confirmed that following the public appeal, an arrest was made earlier that morning. The authorities expressed their gratitude to the community for sharing information that ultimately led to his capture.

According to official statements, James will now return to prison to serve time for his failure to comply with the conditions of his release license. This breach of his legal obligations prompted the authorities to take swift action, resulting in his re-arrest and subsequent detention.

James’s criminal history includes a guilty plea to two counts of sexual assault, which he admitted to during his court appearance at Swansea Crown Court last November. The charges stemmed from incidents on September 16, when he was accused of touching a six-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl in a sexual manner within two separate shops located in the heart of Tenby town centre.

Law enforcement recovered CCTV footage from the shops, which played a crucial role in identifying James. At the time of his arrest, he provided an address listed as Station Road, Tenby. His conviction resulted in a 13-month prison sentence, with the possibility of serving up to half of that period behind bars before being released on license to serve the remainder in the community.

Furthermore, James was placed on the sex offender register for a decade and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. These measures were intended to monitor his activities and prevent any further offenses, but his recent failure to comply has now led to his re-incarceration, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing convicted offenders in the community.