Liam Copeman

A 23-year-old sex offender from Peterborough, Liam Copeman, has been sentenced to five months in prison for violating a court order designed to protect the public from sexual harm.

The breach occurred when Copeman failed to inform police that he was residing at a property in Downham Market, Norfolk, where a young child lived. This action contravened a sexual harm prevention order issued to him in February 2021 at Cambridge Crown Court. The order is part of measures linked to his prior registration on the Sex Offenders Register, aimed at monitoring and restricting the activities of individuals convicted of sexual offences to safeguard vulnerable people, particularly children.

• On the evening of 26 March, evidence from a video doorbell captured Copeman arriving at the property at 9:29 pm.
• He remained there until the following day at 11:51 am, constituting an overnight stay without the required notification to authorities.

Copeman admitted to both breaching the sexual harm prevention order and failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register. The sentencing took place at Peterborough Crown Court on 11 October. PC Lorraine Smart, involved in the case, stated: "The seriousness of court orders cannot be overstated, as they are designed to protect the public. The police will vigorously prosecute anyone found to be in breach of such orders." This case underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to enforce restrictions on sex offenders and prevent potential risks to the community.

Source: UKNIP, reporting on the court proceedings at Peterborough Crown Court.