Sex offender caught after web appeal

The head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has praised the public’s response in helping to track down a dangerous sex offender just two days after his details had appeared on the organisation’s website.

Stephen Gordon was arrested by Merseyside Police last Thursday, and appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with breaching a sexual offences prevention order and failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Members of the public were asked to come forward with information about the whereabouts of the 45-year-old on Tuesday. His photograph was circulated by the media after his details were posted on the CEOP’s ‘Most Wanted’ website at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted. In the 48 hours following the appeal, the site received more than 103,000 hits.

“Members of the public continue to be incredibly supportive of this initiative,” said Jim Gamble, CEO at the CEOP Centre. “This fantastic result is a credit, not only to the individual whose call ultimately led to Gordon’s arrest, but indeed everyone who reported sightings and came forward with information.

“The responsible approach they have taken to the release of these details is highly commendable. Nobody took action themselves, instead they made reports directly to the police, or to Crimestoppers.”

The Most Wanted website is dedicated to finding ‘missing’ offenders and was designed in association with Crimestoppers. Since it went live five months ago, public sightings have led to six offenders being located.

All individuals published on the site have previously been convicted for an offence for which they have already served punishment within the criminal justice system. They are sought because they have subsequently failed to fulfil their requirements as part of their placement on the Sex Offenders Register.