James Hirst

James Hirst, 32, from Narberth, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for multiple breaches of the sex offenders register, which he had been placed on indefinitely following a six-year jail term in 2015 for sexual assault. The court heard that Hirst failed to notify police about stays at an address on Ffordd Aneurin in Pontyberem, where children aged 13, nine, and six resided, and also neglected to attend a required appointment to update his details.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter outlined that Hirst's obligations under the register included notifying police of any address where he stayed for seven days or more within a 12-month period, or for at least 12 hours if an under-18 lived or stayed there, and providing annual updates to his contact information and address. Breaches occurred when Hirst stayed overnight at the Pontyberem address on 11 and 12 February, alerted by his electronic tag from a separate community order for malicious communications. Police arrested him on 13 February after attending the scene, where the homeowner described Hirst as a friend and confirmed she knew of his sex offender status, having invited him to stay despite her children's presence.

Hirst claimed to police he believed he was within a three-day grace period for notification. Further investigation revealed additional unnotified stays at the same address from 15 to 26 January and on 30 January, uncovered via data from his seized mobile phone after his arrest on 20 April for missing a police appointment. Hirst has eight prior convictions for 14 offences, including a 2019 breach of register requirements.

Defending barrister Mr Griffiths argued that Hirst viewed the requirements as hindering normal friendships and relationships, describing the incident as Hirst testing a potential romantic connection. He emphasised the need for Hirst to change his attitude and behaviour. Judge Paul Thomas dismissed this, stating, 'Or to put it another way, he needs to grow up,' and quoted The Clash song 'I Fought the Law,' adding, 'The law will win.' The judge called the breaches 'blatant' and noted the homeowner was 'lucky not to be facing a prison sentence' for potentially perverting justice.

For the first two breaches, Hirst received 12-month concurrent sentences; a further three months concurrently for missing the appointment. The judge revoked Hirst's community order with no separate penalty. The case was reported by the Western Telegraph on 12 June 2023, based on proceedings at Swansea Crown Court.