Pervert on the run snared by off-duty officer on holiday
A PAEDOPHILE who avoided police by going on the run for five years was finally caught by an off-duty officer on holiday.
Paedophile Andrew Simmonds was caught by an off-duty officer on holiday after being on the run
Andrew Simmonds, 57, disappeared from his home near Salisbury, Wilts, after he was arrested and bailed for possessing indecent images of children in 2012.
But he was found more than 200 miles away in Falmouth, Cornwall, after an officer from Wiltshire Police, who had previously worked on the case, recognised him while on holiday.
He contacted Falmouth Police who arrested Simmonds and returned him to Wiltshire.
Police said his family had not heard from him since he disappeared and had no knowledge of his crimes.
Andrew was arrested and bailed for possessing indecent images of children in 2012
Simmonds was finally arrested in Falmouth on May 27 and was later charged with possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography and failing to surrender to police bail.
He admitted all the charges and was held in custody until his sentencing at Swindon magistrates’ court, Wilts.
Andrew was spotted in Falmouth, Cornwall 200 miles away from his home near Salisbury
He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also made to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years and has a five-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his internet usage.
Andrew was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years
Detective Constable Ian Day, of Wiltshire Police, said: “He has put his family through a lot of distress and anxiety as well as wasting police time.”