Description
A sex offender found himself back in court after being evicted from his home.
Andrew McGowan is subject to notification requirements as he is on the sex offenders register. The 58-year-old must inform the police when he moves to a new address, even if he is homeless.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard how McGowan was left homeless, after being evicted from his home in May this year, but failed to notify Northumbria Police that he was now classed as no fixed abode.
The court in Newcastle heard how he had been sleeping under the archway near Forth Banks Police Station before being given accommodation. However he also failed to inform the force about his new address.
Brian Payne, prosecuting, told the court: "This gentleman is subject to the notification requirements on the sexual offences act. He was last in trouble in 2018, six years ago, for failing to comply with a sexual harm prevention order in place at the time.
"He's monitored on a regular basis by offender managers and it became clear to the police that his last address, he'd left. Police made enquiries and he had in fact been evicted.
"He was supposed to, even if homeless, notify the police that he was not at his home address but he failed to do so. He was tracked down and it became clear that he had obtained accommodation. He was supposed to, having obtained accommodation, notify the police within three days and he failed do so."
Mr Payne said he was arrested and interviewed and admitted the offences from the offset.
McGowan, of Virginia House, Elswick, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with notification requirements as part of the sex offenders register.
Adrian Ions, defending, told the court: "He had some financial difficulties, he is evicted by his landlord, that's not via a court order. He comes home one night and the locks had been changed. He's reported that matter to the police. You can't evict anybody without a court order.
"He is homeless, he has firstly explained that to the police because he's reported this as an offence but not the correct police officers, with the correct form."
Mr Ions said that McGowan feared for his safety as he had to sleep on the streets for a few nights and chose to sleep under the archway near Forth Banks police station. He said: "The police know where he is, but not the right officer."
His solicitor said that, following contact with housing and homelessness charity Shelter, McGowan was able to get temporary accommodation. Three days later, he was offered a permanent room. He said: "The housing association knows where he is at all times."
Mr Ions added that McGowan had "significant" mental health issues.
Chair of the Bench, Nick Hooker, told McGowan that he would be fined £80 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge - a total of £197.