Multiple Breaches of the Sex Offender Registration Act

Multiple Breaches of the Sex Offender Registration Act Charges The client was charged with 6 breaches of the Sex Offender Register. Facts The client was facing a term of imprisonment as his conduct indicated a complete disregard for not only his obligations under the Register but also for complying with Court orders. The client also had 4 prior convictions for the same offending. There were however three factors working in the client’s favour:

• There was some time between the offending and when the matter came to Court;
• The client was now (on advice) complying properly with the Act and had put in place strategies to ensure no further breaches would occur; and
• The client’s personal circumstances had changed insofar as he had a job, a steady girlfriend and accommodation.

Results After a lengthy plea the Magistrate was satisfied that an immediate term of imprisonment would not be appropriate in the circumstances. The Magistrate ordered that the client serve a wholly suspended sentence. Unfortunately suspended sentences are only available until September 2014 in the Magistrates’ Court.