A sex offender has been hounded out of Stoke-on-Trent. Warren Potts has now started a new life in Cambridgeshire after leaving The Potteries.
It comes after the 52-year-old’s past – when he was jailed for 15 years in 2011 for a string of serious sexual offences – became known in the Stoke-on-Trent community where he lived. It followed Potts failing to inform police that he had gone on holiday to Spain and not registering his new passport within three days of receiving it.
Now Potts – who is on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life – has pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with his notification requirements. He has been handed an 18-month community order with a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a £249 court bill.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard police were informed that Potts had travelled to Alicante in September.
Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail said: “The information was checked with passport officers and he was issued with a passport on July 18. On September 13 he travelled to Alicante from Birmingham. He had not registered his passport within three days of receiving it. He had not notified the police of travel. He must notify them at least seven days before leaving the country.”
In his police interview Potts said failing to register the passport was a mistake. He had it for two months and forgot to register it.
Karen Wright, mitigating, said Potts and his partner went on holiday to celebrate his birthday. The couple hope to marry next month and Potts cares for his partner.
Miss Wright added: “On his return he was made aware he should have notified the police. He and his partner have moved to Cambridgeshire. When these issues came to light the neighbours got hold of it and they were put under horrendous scrutiny. They were harassed and had an awful lot of issues.”
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