Aaron McGinty 39

Description

A convicted sex offender from Nelson has been jailed for breaching his registration requirements by traveling to Ukraine to fight against Russia without notifying police.

Aaron McGinty, 39, of Marsden Hall Road, failed to inform authorities when he obtained a passport and traveled abroad, and neglected to register upon returning to the UK.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to comply with requirements and breaching a restraining order at Blackburn Magistrates' Court in December, then appeared at Burnley Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (February 17).

The magistrates' hearing revealed the restraining order protected McGinty's ex-partner, who received messages and friend requests from him while he was in Ukraine.

In one message, he said: "It's made my blood thirsty being over here in Ukraine.

"I will come for you and all the members of your family."

Defending McGinty at the lower court, John Rusius said the defendant "didn't want to live" upon his 2024 prison release and "decided to take himself out to Ukraine and fight in the war."

Mr. Rusius added that McGinty spent his last five days in Ukraine sitting in a trench with his friend's body, awaiting escape.

Recorder Alex Leach sentenced McGinty to 18 months in prison at the Crown Court.