WILLIAM POLLARD'S SHOCKING CRICKLADE AND BRIGHTON SEX OFFENDER CASE REVEALED

In a case that has garnered significant attention, William Pollard, a man originally from Cricklade and now residing in Brighton, has been at the center of a legal battle concerning his status on the sex offender register. The proceedings, which took place at Swindon Crown Court, have highlighted the complexities surrounding the management and duration of sex offender registration orders.

Pollard, aged 58 at the time, was involved in a series of disturbing incidents dating back to the early 2000s. His criminal activities came to light when he was caught with a hidden camcorder concealed beneath his towel, actively filming an eight-year-old boy as he dried himself after a shower at a swimming pool. This act of voyeurism was part of a broader pattern of behavior that included the possession and creation of indecent images of children and adults.

Following his arrest, police conducted a thorough search of Pollard’s residence in Cricklade, uncovering a substantial collection of photographs and videos depicting men and boys in various states of undress, often in changing rooms after swimming sessions. During questioning, Pollard admitted that he frequented local facilities such as the Oasis Leisure Centre and Milton Road Health Hydro during his lunch breaks from work, always carrying his camera with the hope of capturing images of naked men or boys. His motives and actions painted a disturbing picture of premeditated voyeurism.

Pollard had previously pleaded guilty to charges of voyeurism and the creation of seven indecent images of children, with offenses spanning from 2003 to 2005. His criminal record includes a suspended six-month jail sentence, which meant he was required to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years. This registration involved notifying authorities of his whereabouts and was accompanied by strict restrictions, including bans from schools, leisure centers, and children’s play areas. Additionally, he was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which limited his contact with minors and imposed penalties for violations.

Despite the initial sentence and restrictions, Pollard successfully completed the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme and had not re-offended since his arrest in September 2005. Nevertheless, the legal restrictions remained in place, with the order set to expire on June 9, 2013, exactly seven years after his sentencing. The question of whether he should continue to be registered as a sex offender beyond this period was brought before the court, with his legal representative, Robin Shellard, arguing that it would be unfair to keep him on the register once the seven-year period had elapsed.

Shellard pointed out that the sexual offences prevention order, which was initially ordered to continue 'until further order,' was still in effect and that Pollard’s contact restrictions and bans remained active. He emphasized that Pollard had shown remorse and had not re-offended, and he requested that the registration requirement be lifted at the end of the seven-year period. Prosecutors, however, did not oppose the application, citing relevant case law from the Court of Appeal that supported ending the registration after the specified period.

Judge Douglas Field ultimately ruled that the sexual offences prevention order would expire on June 9, 2013, and that Pollard would no longer be required to register as a sex offender. The judge acknowledged the progress Pollard had made but emphasized that the order’s expiration was appropriate given the circumstances. This decision marked a significant development in Pollard’s case, reflecting a legal acknowledgment of his rehabilitation and the conclusion of his statutory registration period.

In summary, William Pollard’s case underscores the ongoing debates about the length of registration periods for sex offenders and the balance between public safety and individual rehabilitation. His case, involving disturbing voyeuristic acts and possession of indecent images, has been closely scrutinized, and the court’s decision to lift the registration order signifies a potential turning point in his life, contingent on continued compliance and good conduct.