A registered sex offender used a fake name and pretended to be a doctor to lure women to his home in Swindon and start relationships with them.
On 20 May, convicted paedophile Jeremy Van Der Sanden, 27, pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his sexual harm prevention order and his notification requirements.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how the defendant, of The Heights, Old Town, had been using a dating app under a false name and failed to tell the police about a new mobile phone and laptop.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said Van Der Sanden used the dating app under a different name and subsequently formed relationships with two women on separate occasions.
The first woman became wary and did some research – eventually discovering the defendant’s true identity and ending the relationship.
The second woman told of how she “was in love with him” and “heartbroken”, thinking she was starting a relationship with a doctor. He’d even shown her an NHS ID badge on a lanyard.
Van Der Sanden also stayed with one of the women at their home address for a period of time, and failed to inform his offender manager.
When police were alerted to the concerns of the women, they spoke to him and discovered that he was using a new mobile phone and laptop – neither had not been registered with the force.
The offences were committed between December 2021 and April 2022.
The court heard that Van Der Sanden was handed a suspended prison sentence and five-year sexual harm prevention order for possessing indecent images of children in 2020.
Probation officer Michelle James said her colleague, who works with the defendant, describes him as being “very risky” and “actively seeks out opportunities to offend”.
She said he is fully aware of his conditions but will tell the court he was confused about them. Adding that she supports a remand into custody.
Magistrates remanded him into custody ahead of sentencing at Swindon Crown Court on 24 June.
