‘You have got a bad record, with some serious offences, which put the public at risk’
Joshua Thompson appeared at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A convicted sex offender landed himself in custody after repeatedly failing to tell the police where he was living – despite being warned that he had to do so. Drug user Joshua Thompson did not “take the extra step of going to the police” to register changes of address.
It was a “persistent breach” of his requirements and he risked being locked up again if he did not change his ways, Hull Crown Court heard. Thompson, 31, of Worthing Street, off Clough Road, Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted three offences of failing to register his address with the police as part of his requirements as a sex offender, on August 21 and 27 and on December 2.
Michael Masson, prosecuting, said that Thompson failed to notify the police of various addresses where he was living at the time. It was over a sustained period of about three-and-a-half months.
“It’s a persistent breach,” said Mr Masson. “There is no evidence that anyone was put in danger.” Thompson had previous convictions and he was in breach of a 12-week suspended prison sentence.
Jazmine Lee, mitigating, said that Thompson’s bail address was, on each occasion, given to the court and his details were amended but he did not, as he should have done, “take that extra step of going to the police” to register the change.
“He has just not taken that extra step,” said Miss Lee. “The court knew.” Thompson had been in custody for three months and 12 days at the time of his court appearance.
Thompson had previously suffered a drug addiction. “He has made significant improvements,” said Miss Lee. “He wants to put this behind him. He is at a fork in the road.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Thompson: “You have got a bad record, with some serious offences, which put the public at risk.” If Thompson did not comply with his registration requirements in future, the breaches would be viewed more and more seriously each time.
Thompson was given an 11-month suspended prison sentence, with 20 days’ rehabilitation.
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