Rare sex register breach alleged

Offender back in court.

A registered child sex offender is accused of failing to keep police updated with his movements.

Damien Walters, 30, found himself on the register because he was jailed for committing a qualifying offence.

The register, which came into effect last year, requires people on it to provide police with a range of details, including any names they have used, or tattoos they have.

Those jailed for qualifying offences are automatically placed on the register, while those given community-based sentences, such as home detention, can fight their inclusion..

Walters, a voluntary worker, appeared in the Palmerston North District Court on Thursday charged with breaching his obligations under the law.

Court documents show he allegedly did not tell police what kind of vehicle he owned and used, and his travel details, for more than 48 hours.

The Department of Corrections has also applied to monitor Walters via GPS – something Judge Stephanie Edwards said was not possible before law changes last year.

Those laws, different from the child sex offender register, mean an offender sentenced to less than two years’ jail can be subject to electronic monitoring as part of their prison release conditions.

The judge said it would be appropriate for Walters to get legal aid.

Walters entered no plea, and was bailed for legal aid to be sorted. As part of his bail, he is banned from going to the area where he offended and associating with his partner’s children.