A convicted paedophile who absconded and was spotted in West Cork, and was then controversially captured in Northern Ireland, has walked free from custody despite being jailed for two months.
By Donal McMahon
A CONVICTED paedophile who absconded and was spotted in West Cork, and was then controversially captured in Northern Ireland, has walked free from custody despite being jailed for two months.
Jason Lydiard, aka Alexis Gusto (25), with an address of Thompson House, Antrim Road, Belfast was brought before Newry crown court after illegally leaving the jurisdiction on February 15th. In April, there were reports he was in West Cork, with another convicted sex offender.
Lydiard had been under the conditions of two sexual offences prevention orders so had to inform authorities of his whereabouts and attend probation meetings. However, Lydiard absconded and was found to be in the company of convicted high risk paedophile, child rapist James White (48) from Crossmaglen, with allegations that the duo were driving in the south attempting to lure children.
The two paedophiles were arrested in Co Armagh, where they were found beaten, tied and covered in paint. Lydiard had previously been convicted of grooming a child for sex in 2017 and another conviction in 2016 for sexual assault.
Defence said that the two-year probation order for the earlier conviction had almost elapsed at the time of his client’s breach. His Honour Judge Kerr conditionally discharged Lydiard on the first breach, due to his completion of the combination order. On the second breach, he was given a custodial sentence, but the court took account of time served on remand.