Friday June 15, 2007
Most Wanted Offender Back behind bars
Justice has finally caught up with an offender who spent more than two years on the run, thanks to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s ‘Most Wanted’ website.
Paul Francis Turner from Bournemouth was sentenced to 15 months prison at Bournemouth Crown Court this morning.
The 53 year old was among the first five offenders to be placed on the groundbreaking website when it went live in November last year. Dorset Police decided to publish Turner’s photograph and details at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted after he failed to comply with his notification requirements.
Within just three weeks of appearing on the site, reports of public sightings led to his arrest in Northern France on December 11, 2006.
Dorset Police subsequently charged Turner with failing to notify and making and possessing indecent images of children.
“This is a good result for both Dorset Police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre,” explains its CEO, Jim Gamble.
Turner learned the hard way that failing to comply with notification requirements is not an option, and today he is back behind bars. This result is a credit, not only to the individual whose call ultimately led to Turner’s arrest, but indeed everyone who reported sightings and came forward with information.
Offenders who believe they can evade punishment by travelling abroad underestimate our determination to bring them to justice. Alongside our partners, we will take every step within our power to track them down.
We are delighted with the success of the Most Wanted website so far. By working alongside Crimestoppers, local police forces and most importantly the public, we have managed to locate six offenders in just under seven months.
Members of the public continue to adopt an incredibly supportive and responsible approach to this initiative. No one has taken action themselves, instead reporting information directly to the police, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Detective Chief Inspector Pam Trevillion, Head of Dorset Police’s Child Protection Unit, said:
We’re pleased to have secured the conviction of Paul Turner – who went missing in 2004.
We worked closely with Dorset Crown Prosecution Service to obtain a European Arrest Warrant and then with the French authorities to return Mr Turner to Dorset.
This is the culmination of two years hard work, aided by the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre and their recent introduction of a 'Most Wanted’ website.
Dorset Police will continue to monitor all registered sex offenders and I can assure the public that we are robust in investigating any offenders that disappear in our bid to make the people of Dorset safer.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre continues to appeal for information about outstanding offenders, John Murrell, Joshua Karney and Peter Wheatherley. They are sought for failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Murrell was last seen in the Worcestershire area. He is known to have links with Belfast, Aberystwyth and Blackpool.
Weatherley is missing from the South Yorkshire area but is known to have links in the north of England. Intelligence also indicates that he could be in Spain, or elsewhere in Europe.
Karney has connections in the Lancashire area but is known to travel throughout the United Kingdom.
Further information and photographs can been found at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre joined forces with independent charity Crimestoppers to develop Most Wanted. It was launched last November as the UK’s first national website dedicated to locating child sex offenders who have failed to comply with notification requirements.
Members of the public can safely help locate ‘missing’ offenders by viewing photos and descriptions via the CEOP and Crimestoppers websites. If they recognise someone they are urged to contact the local police force, or if they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
This initiative forms a key element of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s approach to tracking and bringing offenders to account. All individuals published on the site have previously been convicted for an offence for which they have already served punishment within the criminal justice system. They are sought because they have subsequently failed to fulfil their requirements as part of their placement on the Sex Offenders Register. This is an arrestable offence, with a punishment of up to five years imprisonment.
Details of previous offences will not be disclosed to the media for the reasons stated above.
Photographs of offenders will only be published with the consent of the local police force. Individual forces are under no obligation to publish their offenders on the Most Wanted site. Further offenders will be considered for inclusion on the ‘Most Wanted’ site in consultation with local police forces.
The decision to publish the details of all offenders detailed on the site has been risk assessed by the CEOP Centre and relevant local forces.
The CEOP Centre works in both online and offline environments to protect children from sexual exploitation. Full information on all areas of work as well as online safety messages and access to online reporting can be found at www.ceop.gov.uk.
The organisation is affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and powers are derived from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is based in Pimlico, London with developing outreach channels to all areas of both domestic and international policing as well as industry and specialist support and educational faculties.
For further information please contact the Communications Team at The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre on 0870 000 3434 or 0207 238 2312/2366/2327