Law enforcement officials overseeing the risks associated with sex offenders obtained a prison sentence for an individual, Alastair Dixon Colchester Paedophile, who consistently violated a court order and sought to initiate sexually explicit dialogues with a minor.
In October of the previous year, Alastair Dixon, 35, was discovered to have transmitted sexualised communications and photographs to an internet decoy impersonating a 14-year-old kid.
He perpetrated this grave offence while being under a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), issued by Ipswich Crown Court in August 2023.
These orders impose restrictions and oversight on offenders’ use of electronic devices and their daily activities.
The Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO) is dedicated to ensuring compliance with stringent court orders and promptly identifying any violations.
These officers collaborate with the probation department to prevent and deter recidivism.
The researchers successfully connected Alastair Dixon to several charges.
In another breach, we received a report he was in possession of an unauthorised smart phone.
Subsequent investigation found he had installed deletion software on computers at his home.
It was further found Alastair Dixon attempted to pervert the cause of justice by creating an email address in an innocent man’s name, before sharing a link containing indecent images of children.
Alastair Dixon was arrested, charged and admitted a range of offences including:
- Attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
- Attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.
- Seven breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Failing to comply with notification requirements.
- Perverting the course of justice.
Alastair Dixon, of Pilborough Way, Colchester, admitted each charge due to the evidence gathered against him and appeared for sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday 22 January.
Judge Emma Peters said he committed “sophisticated, serious offences” and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment.
Alastair Dixon was made the subject of a lifelong SHPO and will be subject to notification requirements for the rest of his life.
In 2024, MOSOVO made 125 arrests, secured 286 charges and solved nearly 370 investigations.
A real risk to children
Detective Constable Jonathan Straight, of our Colchester MOSOVO team, said:
“Thanks to our ongoing work there is a low rate of registered sex offenders re-offending in Essex.
“But we are not complacent, and where we see such flagrant breaches and fresh offences committed, we will take robust action.
“This case proves breaches will be put before the courts and attract a lengthy prison sentence.
“By enforcing these court orders, we can minimise the risk posed and harm caused by registered sex offenders.
“Although Dixon was not engaging with a real child in this case, he believed he was – and there was therefore clearly a risk of a child coming into contact with him online and suffering real harm.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.