Locations
Clive Street, Cardiff, CF11
Description
A paedophile who previously sexually abused children and engaged in sexual conversations with a child breached a court order after failing to tell the authorities about a mobile phone. He claimed he had "forgotten" to notify his probation officer about the device.
Malcolm John West, 63, of Cardiff, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in August last year after he was convicted of engaging in sexual communications with a child. As part of the order, the defendant was required to keep probation informed of his address and to register any electronic devices.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday heard West previously breached court orders by failing to tell the authorities about new addresses. He was convicted of intercourse with a girl under 18, in both 1979 and 1984, and convicted of indecent assault of a girl under 14, in 1993.
Following his release prison in March 14 this year, the defendant was found to have failed in his duty to notify probation about the purchase of a mobile phone. When officers visited his home on March 30, he was asked why he had not registered the phone and he admitted he had "forgotten" to notify them.
West, of Clive Street, Grangetown, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to breach of a SHPO. The court heard he has a total of 63 previous convictions.
Defence barrister Nick Gedge said there was no suggestion there was "anything untoward" on the phone. He said the defendant was preoccupied at the time of the offence due to his partner being in hospital and him being evicted.
Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "You are a persistent sex offender and have little regard for orders. She sentenced West to a total of eight months imprisonment. The Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains in force.