A Swindon paedophile was able to flee after his mother obstructed the arresting officer.
Police attended Jacqueline Robins’ home in Kirkstall Close, Toothill, on 17 August this year to arrest her son – convicted sex offender Jack Ball – for unknown allegations.
The now 27-year-old was convicted of two child sex offences in April 2021, after he admitted arranging to meet a 13-year-old girl.
However, when Ball travelled to meet the youngster, he was met by police officers who had been conducting a sting operation.
As PC Megan Taylor tried to place handcuffs on Ball, a scuffle ensured. Robins proceeded to intervene by grabbing the officer and eventually facilitated his getaway.
Kate Prince, prosecuting the case at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday), said that the 66-year-old defendant was shouting “leave him alone”.
The obstruction Robins caused meant Ball was able to escape and disappear. Following a 20-minute search for the fleeing suspect, he was found and brought into custody.
Ms Prince suggested Robins interference was “coming from a good place, but it meant the offender got away”.
Mark Glendenning, defending, said his client’s son was “underneath” the officer following a “scuffle”.
He told the court that Robins was “concerned he would kick off” because he is autistic, and she wanted to intervene to calm her son down – adding that there was “no real harm done”.
The defendant was fined £132 and told to pay £85 costs and a £53 surcharge.
