A ‘high risk’ sex offender previously jailed for child sex offences continued to meet children following his release from prison – including eating lunch with a 14-year-old boy at a Weymouth park.

Charlie Patterson, aged 31, currently at HMP Dartmoor, was released from prison in 2021 after serving time for a previous sexual offence against underage children.

Patterson has been under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) since a previous conviction of inciting a male child to take part in sexual activity in 2014.

The order means a person is prohibited from contacting or speaking to children under the age of 16 unless they have consent from their parents or guardian, and can't be in public places where children are likely to be.

Richard Oakley, prosecuting, described Patterson as a ‘high risk registered sex offender’ and noted his previous offences included making indecent images of children and sexual contact with underage children.

Dorset Echo: Weymouth Magistrates CourtWeymouth Magistrates Court

Patterson was placed under surveillance by police officers and was spotted around Weymouth on Tuesday, May 11.

Mr Oakley said: “Within weeks of his release, he was a growing cause of concern.

“He had been released from prison. Intelligence was received that he was riding his bike to where children would be present.

“Due to this, he was placed under surveillance by police. On the first day, he was seen behaving suspiciously.

“He was hiding cannabis in bushes and meeting three boys with their ages being between 13 and 15.

“He was seen eating lunch with a 14-year-old boy in a park.”

Police used CCTV in the area to locate the boys and they confirmed they were under the age of 16.

Mr Oakley added: “The defendant was arrested for breaching the order and he was also recalled to police, hence why he’s in HMP Dartmoor.

“There were extensive texts between him and one of the boys, namely a 14-year-old boy, found on the defendant’s computer.

“He stressed to the police there was no sexual meaning behind his messages.”

Oakley told the court how Patterson admitted ‘he had to use huge restraint to not get sexually involved with boys’.

Patterson, appearing via video link, admitted two breaches of his sexual harm prevention order, in that he had contact with a child under the age of 16 and spoke to a child under the age of 16 on May 11 in Weymouth.

Mitigating, Des Reynolds, agreed that Patterson should be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court due to limited sentencing powers of magistrates.

Due to the seriousness of the offences, sentencing was adjourned for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 15.

Patterson was remanded in custody at HMP Dartmoor.

Chairman of Magistrates, Robert Ford, said: “You have pleaded to the two offences in front of us. We agreed with the prosecution about the level of harm and have no choice but to send it to Bournemouth Crown Court.

“We will remand you in prison as there is a serious risk to the public.”