Terry Widdrington – Newcastle

A sex offender with 236 previous offences who served five years behind bars was arrested just four days after his release.

Terry Widdrington was locked-up for sexual assault on a woman and burglary in 2021 and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

A court heard that the 50-year-old was released from prison on May 14 but, as part of being placed on the register, he was legally required to go to a police station to register his details within 72 hours.

However, Widdrington, who has 236 offences on his appalling record, failed to do so and he was arrested soon after.

Widdrington, of no fixed abode but formerly from Newcastle’s West End, appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court in custody the following day and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the sex offender notification requirements.

Chike Anieto, prosecuting, said Widdrington was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court on April 28 2021 for sexual assault and burglary.

Mr Anieto said: “He was made subject to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. The defendant was released from prison on May 14 and was required to register his details with the police within three days and he failed to do so.”

The court heard that, when interviewed by police following his arrest, Widdrington claimed he thought he had seven days to register his details.

Magistrates fined Widdrington £160 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £64 victim surcharge.