Convicted sex offender failed to tell police of his whereabouts while living in a tent.

Convicted Sex Offender Fails to Notify Police of Whereabouts

Jon Hannon, 36, a convicted sex offender, has been found guilty of failing to inform police of his whereabouts while living in a tent on the streets of Norwich.

Hannon, who is required to inform police of his location due to being placed on the sex offenders register for life following a 2014 conviction, failed to comply with these requirements on two occasions.

The first instance occurred in April this year when Hannon was living in a tent, and the second when he was evicted from a homeless hostel. In both cases, he did not update police about his location.

Sally Harris, prosecuting, highlighted the importance of knowing Hannon's whereabouts, stating, "You will appreciate how important it is for an offender of this type that the police do know exactly where he is residing."

Hannon pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. He also admitted breaching a 24-week suspended prison sentence imposed for actual bodily harm in March.

The court was informed that Hannon has 10 previous convictions for 19 offenses, including other breaches of court orders.

Jonathan Perkins, mitigating for Hannon, explained that he had found himself unexpectedly homeless on both occasions when he failed to notify police.

Perkins emphasized the burden placed on homeless individuals subject to these notification requirements, stating, "Normally when a person is subject to notification orders they have annual sign-ins but when a person is homeless they are subject to a weekly notification with the police even if their tent is pitched in the same area as it was the week before."

"So we have the unfortunate situation where those with the most unstable and precarious lives, who are generally the most vulnerable, have a burden that weighs on them 52 times more heavily than those with a place they can call their own."

Hannon was fined £240 and ordered to pay costs of £166.

Magistrates emphasized the importance of Hannon's compliance, stating, "Regardless of it being a burden, you must report to the police whether you like it or not."