Yate sex offender didn't finish his treatment... then offended again

A CONVICTED sex offender sentenced to a treatment programme who failed to do so and struck again has been jailed for 15 months.

Judge Julian Lambert was critical of how William Smart didn't complete the programme requirement, handed to him for sexually abusing a youngster, and went on to abuse a woman.

He told Bristol Crown Court: "The court and the public have been failed in that regard, which should not have happened. The appropriate motivation for him would have been imprisonment."

Smart, 25, of Long Croft, Yate, pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration in October 2011.

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Mark Worsley, prosecuting, told the court Smart met the woman and she went with him to a secluded place, where he touched her improperly.

It was accepted the pair kissed, but Smart conceded he did not properly ensure the woman was fully consenting.

Mr Worsley said Smart had previous convictions for two sex offences, one of which included touching a 15-year-old girl inappropriately and encouraging her to touch him.

For that offence he was sentenced to a community order with supervision, a sex offender treatment programme and a prohibited activity requirement – but he failed to undertake the programme, which the judge said was not brought to the court's attention.

Sarah Regan, defending, said her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was told he would receive maximum credit for his guilty plea.

She said: "He accepts he didn't take sufficient steps to ensure the complainant was consenting. It was momentary and he did not force himself on her. He caused her no physical harm."

Miss Regan said her client had had the matter hanging over his head for 17 months.

She told the court: "Mr Smart is a young man who is much younger than his age would suggest. He was working at Tesco at the time.

"When charged they suspended his employment.

"He obtained fresh employment, but that employment has been dispensed with."

Miss Regan said Smart needed to "grow up" and had been trying to get a job.