Convicted Sex Offender Jailed for 16 Months After Working at School in Breach of Order

A convicted sex offender who volunteered his gardening services at a north Suffolk school in violation of a court order has been sentenced to 16 months in prison. Kevin Corrick, 63, of Nightingale Court in Blyburgate, Beccles, admitted to four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order imposed in 2012 following his 15-year prison sentence for raping and sexually assaulting a schoolgirl and creating indecent images of children.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Corrick visited the school over a 10-month period to deliver gardening supplies and cut grass without informing anyone that he was prohibited from entering school grounds under the sexual harm prevention order.

The breaches involved entering an educational establishment between March and December 2023 and working in a youth organization, both prohibited under the terms of the order. Corrick also pleaded guilty to failing to notify the authorities about his possession of an Amazon tablet and a new bank card.

Judge Emma Peters, while sentencing Corrick, emphasized the crucial role of sexual harm prevention orders in regulating the lives of individuals convicted of sex offenses upon their release from prison.

The court learned that Corrick had volunteered his services at the school through the Man Shed community project, supplying items and providing gardening services. When questioned by police about why he did not disclose his status as a subject of a sexual harm prevention order, Corrick stated his fear of losing his role.

While denying visiting the school to gain access to children, Corrick admitted to being sexually attracted to children and told police, "I can't help what's in my head."

Claire Matthews, Corrick's defense lawyer, highlighted that her client had no unsupervised contact with children and his role was limited to delivering gardening supplies and lawnmowing at the school through Man Shed. She also mentioned that Corrick had been released from prison in 2019 and had not reoffended since then.

Matthews asserted Corrick's awareness of his wrongdoing and his remorse for his actions.