'Forgetful' sex offender found wandering around Leeds city centre breached order for the 16th time

Craig Phillips is on the sex offender register but has breached the terms no fewer than 16 times by continually failing to turn up to Elland Road police station to register his address.

The 46-year-old was released from his last breach on June 8, and should have visited the station within three days. But he was then found wandering along The Headrow in Leeds city centre and arrested.

He appeared at Leeds Crown Court this week via video link from HMP Leeds, where he admitted yet another breach. No details were disclosed as to the sexual offences he originally committed.

Mitigating, James Holding conceded that Phillips, of no fixed address, has a “poor record with court orders” but said he genuinely keeps forgetting to attend the police station.

He said: “He is released from custody with limited or no support, he has nowhere to live, he has no friends, so he turns to drink and drugs and ends up back in prison again.

“He is not trying to avoid detection, he was walking up and down The Headrow when he was arrested. The short, sharp prison sentences are not having the desired effect.”

Judge Andrews Stubbs KC told Phillips: “We have got to find a way to stop it happening again. One way is just to lock you up for longer. I just think maybe this time it might be possible to do something more constructive.

"It’s plain these offences the custody threshold, it is worth 12 months. But you would be out in six months and we would just be back where we started. Instead, we are going to press fast forward.

"You will be released today with that 12 months hanging over your head.”

He gave him the 12-month jail sentence, but suspended it for 12 months. He gave him 40 rehabilitation days and told him that if he does not register at Elland Road police station within three days, then the 12-month sentence is likely to be activated.