Convicted paedophile, 40, is jailed for six weeks after being caught dressed as Santa Claus

Convicted paedophile, 40, is jailed for six weeks after being caught dressed as Santa Claus and posing for photos with children outside department store

• Sex offender Stephen Brown was arrested in Newcastle City Centre, on Saturday
• Security at Fenwick department store alerted police after becoming concerned
• Brown had been jailed for five years for possession of indecent images in 2012

By Joe Middleton For Mailonline

Published: 19:32 GMT, 3 December 2019 | Updated: 19:33 GMT, 3 December 2019

Stephen Brown, 40, was arrested on busy Northumberland Street, in Newcastle City Centre, on Saturday

A convicted paedophile has been jailed for six weeks after being caught dressed as Santa Claus and posing for pictures with children for money. 

Stephen Brown, 40, was arrested on busy Northumberland Street, in Newcastle City Centre, on Saturday.

Security staff at nearby Fenwick department store had contacted police after becoming concerned with his behaviour.

Officers arrived and discovered that Brown had been jailed for five years in 2012 for possession of indecent images and inciting a child to engage in a sex act. 

He was immediately arrested by police in front of crowds of shocked shoppers and was later charged with breaching the sexual offences prevention order.

The court heard how it was the second time Brown had breached the order since being released from prison in January 2017.

Brown will now spend Christmas behind bars after being jailed for six weeks at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court. (on Monday.)

The court was told how Brown had previously encouraged a teenage girl to perform sex acts via an anonymous social media account and even threatened her when she refused to carry out his demands.

Stephen Brown a registered sex offender will spend Christmas behind bars after he dressed up as Santa on a busy shopping street – and offered to take pictures with children for money

The schoolgirl contacted police who identified Brown as the user and arrested him at his home, where officers discovered a number of indecent images of children.

He was arrested and convicted of 14 offences including possession of indecent images, making an indecent image and inciting a child to perform a sex act.

Chief inspector Steve Wykes, of Northumbria Police, praised the teamwork between security staff at Fenwick and officers on patrol in the city.

He said: ‘Stephen Brown would not have looked out of place on Northumberland Street this weekend dressed as Santa Claus.

‘There has been a fantastic atmosphere in the city in the lead up to Christmas and thousands of people were in the area doing their shopping.

‘Many people would have walked by Brown and thought that it was perfectly normal for him to be offering people the chance to pose for a picture.

Chief inspector Steve Wykes, of Northumbria Police, praised the teamwork between security staff at Fenwick and officers on patrol in the city.

‘But security staff at Fenwick knew something wasn’t quite right and have contacted our officers who have checked his details and taken decisive action.

‘Brown’s SOPO stated that he was not allowed any contact with children unless he had the consent of a parent or guardian who was aware of his convictions.

‘We believe two people posed for a picture with him but it was clear they had no idea he was a convicted paedophile and he knew what he was doing was wrong.

‘He will spend Christmas in prison and I hope that sends a strong message to both Stephen Brown, and anyone else who is subject to a similar order.’

 

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