William Gonzalez

William Gonzalez, a 64-year-old resident of Salisbury, was sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Added to the sex offenders’ register in 2020, Gonzalez was subject to restrictions designed to protect the public, including the requirement to notify police of any intention to travel abroad.

In March 2024, Gonzalez travelled to Gibraltar to visit family without informing the authorities. He then flew to Thailand via Dubai in May 2024, again failing to provide police with his passport details or seek permission for the trip. The breaches came to light after Border Force alerted police to his departure from the UK. An investigation followed, during which Gonzalez was interviewed last summer and made full admissions to the offences.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on 28 March 2025. Prosecuting, Elizabeth Valera stated that Gonzalez had organised the trips himself and ‘deliberately failed’ to notify police despite having several opportunities, adding that ‘That causes great concern.’ In mitigation, Nick Redhead argued that Gonzalez acted ‘in plain sight,’ applying for documents and travelling in his own name, and highlighted his struggles with mental health alongside signs of improvement.

On 22 April 2025, magistrates imposed a sentence of 16 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, along with a rehabilitation activity requirement. Chair of the bench Sarah Neish remarked, ‘You have pleaded guilty to the three offences of failing to comply with notification requirements. A court order that has been made has been made for a reason. I have no doubt that you knew that you were not meant to travel abroad.’ Gonzalez was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The case was reported by the Salisbury Journal, with coverage emphasising the importance of compliance with SHPOs to safeguard the community. Wiltshire Police were involved in the investigation following the Border Force alert.