A sex offender who was previously convicted for grooming a child hid his past from a single mum-of-two he was in a relationship with.
Richard Robert Arthur, from the Felling area of Gateshead , was first convicted at Newcastle Crown Court in July 2010 of meeting a child under the age of 16 following sexual grooming.
But last month police learnt that the 34-year-old had failed to declare his whereabouts to officers, a condition of his sentence, and had struck up a relationship with the woman, who he met online.
The unsuspecting mum was unaware of his past until she was contacted by someone who knew of Arthur’s sex offender status.
She then ended the relationship and told him not to contact her, but then Arthur began a campaign of abuse before police stepped in and arrested him.
She said: “A man like him has no place in my, or anyone’s, family home.
“When I ended things, he wouldn’t take no for an answer and then began harassing me. Luckily, I had the support and protection of Northumbria Police , who not only helped keep my family safe but supported me through the process and I know they are only a phone call away.
“Moving forward, I am keen for other women, especially those with kids, to know his name and face so they do not fall victim to his lies and abuse.”
Arthur was given a seven-month suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court and a restraining order was placed on him forbidding him to contact the woman.
But he continued to harass the mum and was arrested again before he pleaded guilty to breaching his restraining order. He is now in jail awaiting his sentence.
The investigating officer Sgt Elliot Richardson said: “I would like to thank the victim in this case, who was clearly very concerned when she learned of Richard Arthur’s past.
“She has shown a great deal of resilience throughout and I am pleased that we have been able to secure a conviction.”
