A “HIGH risk” sex offender who befriended a young mum after relocating to Carlisle has been spared immediate prison.
Kirk Yates, 22, was sent to live in a city hostel following his release from prison in September.
Yates, from Preston, was jailed in 2016 for abducting a 13-year-old boy he met through Facebook, along with making and possessing indecent child images.
He found himself in trouble again when police checked his mobile phone, finding a non-indecent photograph of a woman with youngsters. He had met the female but had failed to tell her of his criminal past.
This was in direct breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) he received as part of his previous punishment. It prohibited him from having any image of a child without the parent being told of his past and giving written permission.
Yates – recalled on licence – was due for release later this month. He admitted breaching the SHPO, and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.
Judge Peter Davies imposed a three-year community order. Yates must undergo rehabilitation and a sexual offending treatment course.
“The sentence that is going to be imposed on you is going to be a punishment. It is not a ‘get out of jail free card’,” said Judge Davies. “It is going to be a punishment designed to a) help you, and b) more particularly to protect young girls and young boys.
“I want to minimise the very high risk that you present.”
