Notorious Sex Offender Back Behind Bars

Gary Travers, 46, has been sent back to prison just days after being released from Barlinnie. He was convicted of performing a sex act in front of a female prison guard. However, Travers was back in the dock at Hamilton Sheriff Court after failing to comply with the strict rules of his release.

Travers has a long history of sexual offenses dating back to 1996. His crimes include indecent acts, including cutting wires to a woman's security lights before committing an indecent act outside her home.

He was jailed for two years in 2017 for breaching the terms of a sex offenders' prevention order. A clinical psychologist has described him as a 'persistent, high-risk sex offender'. He has also served a four-year sentence for throwing a cup of urine over a sheriff.

Travers was sentenced to 26 months in prison following the incident with the prison guard and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Due to time served awaiting trial, he was released almost immediately.

However, he failed to notify authorities of a change of address, a requirement of his release conditions. This resulted in his return to court where he was sentenced to an additional six months in jail.

Depute fiscal Abby Seal stated, "The accused was placed on the sex offenders' register on the 20th of August last year and required to note a change of address within 72 hours. On the 1st of September the police had cause to speak to the accused and it was apparent he had moved and did not comply with notification requirements to update his address."

Ian Smart, Travers' defense attorney, argued, "This is a technical breach. He was released unexpectedly. The sentence imposed and the length of time spent in custody meant he was released immediately from the prison. The police knew where he was but he had not updated the authorities and that is where this arises from."

Sheriff Millar concluded, "This should not affect your release date but it will be on your record should you breach the notification requirements again."