Sex offender jailed after trying to dupe officers

A serial sex offender under surveillance after he was cleared of attempting to abduct two little girls tried to give his watchers the slip with a series of disguises.

John Bermingham, who is banned from having any other than “incidental” conversations with women, was arrested after involving a 59-yearold woman in a “strange” conversation about a dog. He was carrying three hats, two pairs of glasses, and a spare jacket.

Jailing him for three years yesterday, a sheriff said he had deliberately “gone equipped” to change his appearance.

Stirling Sheriff Court was told that Bermingham, 52, was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) imposed eight years ago.

The order forbids him from approaching, contacting, communicating with, or being in the company of any female not a relative.

Samantha Brown, prosecuting, said that on 18 May a Police Scotland team keeping tabs on Bermingham began surveillance of him.

Bermingham, of Falkirk, pleaded guilty to breaching his SOPO.

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson told him: “You had changed your appearance once during the course of this surveillance, and you went equipped to facilitate further changes. You have a conviction for rape and attempted rape. Only a significant sentence is appropriate.”

As he was led away, Bermingham shouted: “I was going to the sports centre. Set up again.”