Teenager wins Sex Offenders Register appeal

A teenager convicted of serious sexual offences against another child when he was 11 has won his appeal to challenge his inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register.

The UK Supreme Court upheld the appeal of the teenager, known as F, and called for a review mechanism to be put in place to provide individuals on the register with the opportunity of seeking de-registration.

F was 11 when he was found guilty of serious sexual offences against another child. He has now served his sentence but presently remains on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court’s decision was based on the view that life-long registration of a child who committed an offence was incompatible with the right to privacy and family life. This would represent a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“This case is important because it considers the rights of a child to mature and develop,” said solicitor Mike Pemberton, who represented the teenager. “At present, any child who commits an offence of this type is labelled for life with no consideration being given to the effect of growing older and learning important lessons from previous mistakes.”

Pemberton added that the case does not argue for automatic removal from the register, but rather for a review of the risk that offenders pose.

President of the Supreme Court, Lord Phillips, said: “There must be some circumstances in which an appropriate tribunal could reliably conclude that the risk of an individual carrying out a further sexual offence can be discounted.”