Sussex Police have issued a warning that disregarding the conditions of a court conviction could result in imprisonment, following a recent case involving a registered sex offender.
Gary Ahearne, a 43-year-old individual with no fixed address, was found guilty of breaching his notification requirements, resulting in an additional conviction. On May 17, 2022, Ahearne traveled from Luton Airport to Poland without informing the police, as mandated by an active Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed on him in July 2021.
Charges were subsequently brought against him for failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register. Ahearne pleaded guilty to the offense, and on April 14, he received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court.
PC Mat Wyatt, an officer from the Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR), emphasized the importance of these conditions, highlighting their role in safeguarding the public and preventing further offenses. He stated, “These conditions are put in place for a reason. They are designed to protect the public from harm and to prevent those individuals subject to the conditions from further offending. This case should serve as a reminder that these are extremely serious offenses which should not be taken lightly.”