A ‘HIGH risk’ sex offender has been jailed for three years after he 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 was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 22, after he pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Dorset Echo: Charlie Grey Patterson. Picture: Dorset PoliceCharlie Grey Patterson. Picture: Dorset Police

Patterson has been under an indefinite 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.

At a previous hearing in Weymouth Magistrates' Court on September 15 this year, Richard Oakley, prosecuting, described Patterson as a ‘high risk registered sex offender’ and noted that his previous offences included making indecent images of children and sexual contact with underage children.

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.”

Following Patterson's sentencing in crown court, Investigator Bill Nixon, Dorset Police Offender Manager, said: “Despite being the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Charlie Patterson has continued to engage with children. He has now been jailed for these clear and blatant breaches.

“We are committed to protecting young people in our communities and will use all tactics available to us to ensure that we can identify offences. I would like to thank the public and the young people involved for coming forward and supporting our investigation.

“The outcome of this case yet again highlights that the Force’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders Unit will work proactively and tirelessly to bring dangerous individuals to justice.”

He was sentenced by Judge Robert Pawson to serve three years imprisonment for both offences, which are to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge.