Registered sex offender sent back to prison after police visit

A 43-year-old registered sex offender has been sent back to prison after an unannounced visit from Northamptonshire Police. 

As a registered sex offender, John Richards, previously of Northampton, was bound by a number of conditions upon his release from prison and was also subject to regular unannounced visits from police officers within the Force’s MOSOVO Team.

Officers conducted such a visit on April 23, 2022, at his Northampton home, and once inside the property, Richards appeared to be deleting data on his phone. It was swiftly seized from him.

Upon inspection, the phone contained communication with children as young as 10 as well as indecent images of children.

Richards was quickly arrested and PC Gemma Glover and DS Ollie McNally completed a fast-paced investigation which ended in a 20-hour shift to ensure he would not be released and the public would be safeguarded.

During their thorough investigation, other offenders were also identified, including a Registered Sex Offender from out of the county who has since been recalled to prison.

Richards was subsequently charged with three attempted breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and one count of making an indecent photograph of a child.

At Northampton Crown Court last week (July 14), he was sent to prison for three years.

Richards’ Offender Manager - PC Dani Wilton from Northamptonshire Police’s MOSOVO Team, said: “John Richards is a high-risk sex offender and so I am really pleased to see him back behind bars, away from children.

“This was a brilliant result for the MOSOVO Team and I hope it shows the Force’s proactivity and dynamic approach to the management of registered sex offenders.

“Protecting children and vulnerable people from harm is why we come to work. This team has such a passion for safeguarding and I hope it shows through cases like this.”