Chester man handed seven-year sexual risk order

Cheshire Constabulary has secured a sexual risk order against a man from Chester.

The seven-year order was granted on Monday 14 March following a three-day hearing at Chester Magistrates’ Court which concluded on Wednesday 9 February.

During the hearing, the court heard how the man has been a suspect in a number of sexual assault cases involving young women in Chester.

The 34-year-old has been investigated in connection with three incidents, but never charged.

Despite this, after listening to all of the evidence presented to him, District Judge Sanders concluded that the man posed a potential risk to women and granted a seven-year sexual risk order.

Under the terms of the sexual risk order, the man is prohibited from being alone with any female under the age of 23 when that female is under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant.

Whilst the man has not been named, the order will be proactively enforced by officers and should he breach the order he faces a prison sentence of up to five years.

Detective Constable Rebecca Lawson, of Chester CID, said: “We are committed to doing all that we can to protect anyone at risk of sexual assault and, as this case demonstrates, we will use all of the tools available to us to help achieve our goal.

“The decision to apply for the order was not taken lightly. However, we carefully considered our options and obligation to protect the public and we are satisfied that this order is the right course of action to protect young women in Cheshire.”

Sexual Risk Orders are a civil order that impose restrictions on the behaviour of a particular person that the court deems necessary for the purposes of protecting the public from risk of sexual harm.

An order can be made in respect of any person who the police consider poses a risk of sexual harm to the public, notwithstanding the fact they have not been convicted of a sexual offence.

Chief Superintendent Gareth Lee, head of Public Protection at Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Violence against women and girls is a priority for the force and our officers are committed to doing all they can to ensure that everyone feels safe on the streets of Cheshire.

“The outcome of this case is testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in securing the order at court and safeguarding women who are potentially at risk.

“The officers involved have worked extremely hard alongside colleagues in the force’s Public Protection Directorate and solicitors from the force’s legal team to ensure a positive outcome.

“Not only does the order restrict the activities of the man for the next seven years, it provides peace of mind to young women in Chester by ensuring that safeguarding measures are in place if needed.”