Andrew Lovelock, 45, from Thatcham, received a suspended sentence for exposing himself and propositioning children in Newbury
Andrew Lovelock Avoids Imprisonment Despite Serious Charges
A drug-crazed sex offender who targeted schoolchildren has avoided imprisonment.
Andrew Lovelock was not placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), as police had initially planned, after he reportedly turned his life around.
According to the Newbury Weekly News, Lovelock, who was living in a tent, terrorized children by asking if they “wanted to have sex with a stranger.”
The 45-year-old, formerly of Ely Grove in Newbury and now living in Beech Walk in Thatcham, also frightened a woman walking her dog in Newbury’s Victoria Park by openly committing a sex act in front of her while shouting to get her attention.
Lovelock, a former homeless crack cocaine addict with 27 previous convictions, initially faced two charges of sexual communication with a child.
However, these charges were dropped after he pleaded guilty to a separate charge of indecently exposing himself to the woman walking her dog on April 27, along with two public order offenses involving children.
District Judge Sundeep Pankhania summarized the case, stating: “The woman walking her dog sees a male in a tent who was initially sat down; she sees that he is masturbating.”
He added, “He stands, then continues and shouts.” The woman, fearing Lovelock would follow her home, called the police.
Judge Pankhania also noted that on another occasion, Lovelock approached two children walking to the shop and asked, “Would you like to have sex with a stranger?”
The court heard there were other instances where Lovelock had propositioned children.
At the November hearing, Catherine Brymer, defending Lovelock, stated that her client had been spending up to £100 per day on drugs and drinking six liters of cider but had abstained since being locked up on remand.
She suggested that he used this time to reevaluate his life and actions, resulting in a change of behavior. Lovelock now wished to apologize to his victims, Brymer added.
District Judge Sundeep Pankhania ordered pre-sentence reports.
On December 9, Lovelock returned for sentencing. After reviewing the reports, Judge Pankhania imposed a six-week prison sentence but suspended it for 12 months.
Lovelock was not subjected to a SHPO, but the court ordered him to abstain from alcohol for 120 days, monitored by a body-worn device. He was also placed under a non-residential drug treatment order for the next 12 months.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Andrew Lovelock |
| Age | 45 |
| Previous Convictions | 27 |
| Charges Dropped | Two charges of sexual communication with a child |
| Plea | Guilty to indecent exposure and two public order offenses |
| Sentence | Six weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months |
| Alcohol Abstention | 120 days, monitored |
| Drug Treatment Order | Non-residential for 12 months |
