WELLINGBOROUGH SEX OFFENDER STEWART WILLMER JAILED FOR ENDANGERING CHILDREN AT WATERSPORT BUSINESS

In a case that has shocked the community of Wellingborough, Stewart Willmer, aged 47, was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of serious breaches related to his previous sex offences and his conduct involving children. The court heard that Willmer, who resides on Salem Lane in Wellingborough, had established a watersports enterprise called Get Wet Dry, ostensibly aimed at children and families attending various public events, including country fairs.

Despite having been subjected to a sexual offences prevention order in 2002, which explicitly prohibited him from having contact with minors and associating with other sex offenders, Willmer continued to pose a significant threat. The order was issued following his conviction for multiple indecency offences committed in the 1990s, involving children as young as 12 years old. These previous convictions painted a troubling picture of Willmer’s history of sexual misconduct.

During the recent investigation, authorities uncovered that Willmer was actively operating his watersports business at various events, including a notable fair in Hemswell, Lincolnshire. The nature of the business involved bringing watersports equipment to public gatherings, which, according to prosecution barrister Alex Bull, would naturally attract children and their families. The court was shown a promotional video for the firm, which was found online and featured children participating in activities associated with the business.

Further scrutiny revealed that Willmer was not only running the business with another individual who also had a criminal record for sex offences but was also secretly filming children during these events. Investigators discovered footage on his computer, which included extreme pornography and videos covertly recorded of children playing. The police seized his computer during his arrest, uncovering these disturbing files that confirmed his inappropriate and illegal activities.

Recorder William Harbage, presiding over the case at Northampton Crown Court, condemned Willmer’s actions, emphasizing the breach of the court’s previous orders. He stated, “The orders were made for a good reason – to protect children from you. Despite that, you set up a business which was clearly going to attract children and you used the cover of that business to film children, as well as filming children covertly for no other reason I can see than sexual gratification.”

Willmer’s criminal history is extensive, with a total of 55 convictions spanning nearly two decades. His past offences include not only indecency but also crimes related to drugs, dishonesty, and violence. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his violations and the ongoing danger he poses to the community, especially to vulnerable children. The judge’s sentence underscores the importance of safeguarding minors from individuals with such a troubling background, and Willmer’s incarceration serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and strict enforcement of protective orders in cases involving sexual offences against children.