Justin Sanders

Justin Sanders, a 29-year-old resident of Smythen Street in Exeter, was released from prison in August 2024 under the conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). The order explicitly prohibited him from associating with other registered sex offenders. However, within just two weeks of his release, Sanders began regularly meeting another convicted sex offender near the Mill on the Exe pub by the river in Exeter.

The friendship developed quickly and persisted for nine months, with the pair encountering each other almost daily. Despite repeated warnings from his offender manager to cease the contact, Sanders disregarded the advice. In one incident, a witness observed Sanders and his associate speaking to a man accompanied by his nine-year-old son, at which point Sanders became sexually aroused by the sight of the boy. The two men shared the same offender manager and were fully aware of the prohibition against their association.

Police intervention came when they moved to arrest Sanders, but he preemptively tipped off his friend via text message. This breach was not Sanders' first; he had been convicted of a similar violation in 2022. Prosecutor Peter Coombe detailed in court how Sanders had joined a group near the river in September 2024 and formed the prohibited bond. Sanders admitted to breaching the terms of his SHPO at Exeter Crown Court.

Defending barrister Stephen Nunn argued that Sanders was candid about his 'addiction to certain forms of sexuality' and struggled with profound loneliness, as potential friends distanced themselves upon learning of his sex offender status. Nunn noted that Sanders was often humiliated and dominated in the relationship but had not committed any contact offences. Judge James Patrick acknowledged the difficulties Sanders faced in reintegrating into society but emphasised the necessity of compliance.

On 13 November 2025, Sanders received a 20-month suspended sentence, along with 60 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. The judge warned, 'If you breach this order you will go back to prison.' This case, reported by Devon Live, highlights ongoing challenges in monitoring compliance with post-release orders for sex offenders in the UK.