Wanted sex offender found living on the Isle of Wight.

A sex offender wanted by police for almost two years has been arrested.

James Ernest Williams, also known as Alan John Appleton, was found living on a boat on the Isle of Wight.

Williams has been one of Devon & Cornwall Police's most wanted criminals since October 2020. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear at Newton Abbott Magistrates Court on December 9, 2020, for breaching the conditions of his release from prison.

Police apprehended Williams on Tuesday night at Folly Lane in Whippingham and took him into custody at Newport Police Station for questioning.

It is unknown how he was located, but it is known that his appearance had changed, with him having gained weight and grown his hair and beard.

The 55-year-old, originally from Manchester, was charged with two counts of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements and remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on June 30th.

At the hearing last Thursday, the case was sent to the Crown Court where Williams will appear on August 5th. He has been remanded in custody until then.

Williams, or Appleton as he is more commonly known, comes from the South Devon area with links to Torbay and Dartmouth. He was thought to be in the Paignton area for a time, then possibly Portsmouth or Reading. His last known address was Clarence Street, Dartmouth.