Jamie-Lee Watts

An Isle of Wight sex offender, Jamie-Lee Watts, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 28 October 2024, after admitting to serious breaches of his legal obligations as a registered sex offender. The 21-year-old, residing at Station Avenue in Sandown, had previously been convicted of sexual activity with a child under 16, leading to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed in November 2024, which remains in effect until November 2029. Additionally, he is required to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offender’s Register.

Between July and August 2024, Watts travelled approximately 130 miles from Sandown to Milton Keynes to stay overnight with a 16-year-old girl for two days. Under the terms of his Sex Offender’s Register, he was obligated to inform police of any intention to stay at an address for more than 12 hours where an individual under 18 resides. Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne informed the court that Watts failed to provide this notification. The girl's parents were aware of his stay, but neither they nor anyone else at the address knew of his prior child sex offences. During the police investigation, it emerged that Watts had given the teenager a phone number linked to an unregistered mobile device, and they had been communicating via WhatsApp and Instagram.

When questioned by officers, Watts initially denied meeting the girl. This incident formed part of a broader pattern of non-compliance. Between 7 May and 12 September 2024, Watts breached his SHPO by possessing several internet-enabled devices that he had not declared to police, including three smartphones, a smartwatch, a Roku smart TV stick, a PlayStation, and an Xbox. On 8 May 2024, police and a probation officer visited Watts and seized an iPhone. Just five days later, Isle of Wight College reported him to authorities after discovering he had acquired another new phone. Furthermore, Watts was found to have unauthorised social media accounts, in direct violation of his order.

Defending Watts, Lucy Linnington argued that there was no evidence of criminal activity involving the seized devices. She highlighted his client's mental health and memory issues, requesting a suspended sentence to allow for continued community support and rehabilitation. Recorder James Bromige acknowledged Watts' previous community order for the initial offence and noted that the breaches occurred only six months into the SHPO. He described the failure to notify police about the trip as 'deliberate' and emphasised that the order was designed 'to protect young girls' from him. Considering Watts' learning difficulties, age, and immaturity, as well as his potential for rehabilitation, Recorder Bromige imposed a two-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. Watts was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity days. He remains on the Sex Offender’s Register and subject to the SHPO.

This case was reported exclusively by the Isle of Wight County Press, drawing on court proceedings at the Isle of Wight Crown Court. The article underscores the ongoing risks posed by non-compliance with sex offender restrictions and the judiciary's efforts to balance punishment with rehabilitation opportunities.