A registered sex offender has been jailed after admitting to defying a ban preventing him from working with children.

John Noel, of Huddersfield, was jailed for three years at Leeds Crown Court today after breaching the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed on him in June 2023.

The 63-year-old also admitted a breach of a bar offence which he committed by working with children (aged from five to 17) as a private Maths, English and Sciences tutor, despite being banned from doing so.

Noel was arrested by police on February 5 for concealing a device in breach of his SHPO and for the breach of bar offence, and later charged.

He pleaded guilty to the offences at an appearance at Leeds Crown Court in April.

The Huddersfield man had been made subject to his SHPO after he was convicted of making indecent photographs of children and possession of extreme pornography.

PC Richard Thorp of the Kirklees Police Public Protection Unit, said: “We welcome the conviction of John Noel at Leeds Crown Court today and hope it demonstrates that breaching orders and DBS restrictions, put in place to protect the public can only have one outcome.

“Noel arrogantly continued to offer his services as a private tutor despite being fully aware he had been banned from doing so.

"He showed no appreciation or consideration, as to how he was breaching the trust of those parents/guardians, who were paying him.

"I hope Kirklees residents take note of this conviction at court today, and that he poses a clear safeguarding risk.  

“The public protection unit works hard to monitor those subject to all such Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and DBS restrictions.

“Those who attempt to breach the strict conditions imposed on them should have no doubt they will be caught, charged and dealt with.”

A Disclosure and Barring Service spokesperson said: “The decision on whether to bar an individual is a significant decision, taken in the public interest to protect those at risk of physical and emotional harm.

“It is essential that those who breach any barring order that has been imposed are brought to justice and we are grateful for the support and diligence of West Yorkshire Police in this matter.”