Paedophile near park breached court order
A SERIAL paedophile who was previously found with a bottle of chloroform and a roll of tape in his bag breached a court order after he was seen near a children’s park.
He was caught by a probation officer who had dealt with him on many occasions.
Christian John, 48, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) banning him from being within 50m of a children’s park.
He was previously jailed for child sex offences, and was described as a “predator” by a judge.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday heard a senior probation officer was walking near Roath Park recreation fields in Cardiff last year.
As she was walking along Ninian Road, the officer became aware of two men shouting and recognised a man sitting on a bench as the defendant.
Prosecutor Megan Jones said the officer had had dealings with John, also known as John Davies, over many years and was aware of the SHPO he was subject to. She also saw the defendant was drinking alcohol, which had been a factor in his previous offences. She reported the matter to the police and John was arrested.
The defendant, of Mackintosh Place, Roath, later pleaded guilty to breach of an SHPO. The court heard he has 31 previous convictions for 47 offences, including 13 previous breaches of sexual offence orders.
In mitigation, Alex Greenwood said his client’s life had been blighted by his upbringing and resulted in an addiction to alcohol. He said when the defendant drinks he becomes “melancholic” and returns to his childhood home in Ely, where he reminisces.
The barrister also said there was no evidence of him observing children in his latest offence.
Sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison said: “You have shown a total disregard for court orders... There is no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
He sentenced John to a total of 14 months’ imprisonment.