Owen Kew

A Yeovil man, Owen Kew, appeared before Somerset Magistrates' Court after breaching his sex offender notification requirements. Kew, aged 32 and residing on Milford Road in Yeovil, was subject to stringent conditions following a previous conviction for a sexual offence that did not involve children. One key condition required him to inform police within three days if he stayed overnight at any property where a child under 18 lived.

The breach occurred when Kew stayed for 12 hours at a house occupied by a child without disclosing this to the authorities. Prosecutor Andrew Meadows described the violation as deliberate, noting that Kew had been fully aware of the requirements, which had been clearly explained to him. Despite the breach, the homeowner who hosted Kew stated she had no concerns during his visit and was unaware of his status as a sex offender. She expressed frustration upon learning the truth, saying: 'I was surprised about the information provided about him and had no reason to believe he posed a sexual threat. I was frustrated that I was not told the truth after offering him a stay at my home.'

In his defence, Kew admitted to the court that he knew of the requirement but claimed it was a mistake. He acknowledged he would have to face the consequences. The magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, requiring Kew to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service. Additional costs of £85 and a £114 victim surcharge were also levied.

This case highlights the strict monitoring of sex offenders in the community to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children. The article, reported by a court reporter for Chard & Ilminster News, underscores the importance of compliance with notification laws under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.