A woman discovered her new boyfriend was a registered sex offender only when they were stopped at Turkish border control. Daniel Greaves, 34, had failed to inform her about his conviction for engaging in sexual communications with a child.
Background of the case
Greaves, a warehouse driver from Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, was sentenced in December 2024 at Grimsby Crown Court for four offences of engaging in sexual communications with a child. He received a two-year community order and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register. He was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which prohibited unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.
In January and February 2025, Greaves breached the SHPO twice. Prosecutor Craig Lowe told the court that in January, Greaves and his girlfriend went to a local pub for lunch with two children. In February, they attended a circus, where Greaves was left unsupervised with the children while his girlfriend went to the toilet.
Discovery at the border
The couple attempted to travel to Turkey for a holiday but were turned away at border control. It was then that the woman learned of Greaves' past. She immediately alerted the police. Lowe stated, "He had not told anyone about his convictions and he was a registered sex offender."
Greaves' original offences involved communicating with decoys set up by paedophile hunters, who posed as 13- and 14-year-old girls. He sent messages requesting photographs and suggesting meetings, including one where he proposed they shower together and offered to have sex with the decoy.
Court proceedings
Defence barrister Michele Stuart-Lofthouse said Greaves had written a letter to the judge expressing "true remorse." She argued that no harm occurred during the outings, which took place in public settings. However, Judge Richard Woolfall noted that Greaves was "extremely fortunate" not to have faced more serious charges for the 2023 communications.
The judge emphasised that the SHPO conditions were "non-negotiable" and designed to protect children. He said Greaves had discussed his relationship with his probation officer but claimed it was "not the right time" to inform his girlfriend. Probation gave him time to disclose, warning that police would do so if he did not. Greaves also failed to mention that children were involved in the outings.
Sentencing
Judge Woolfall highlighted the breach involving the circus visit as particularly concerning, as Greaves was left alone with children. He also noted the holiday incident, stating, "You later went on holiday. You were turned around at Border Control in Turkey and you had to get a return flight."
Greaves was sentenced to a total of 10 months in prison for the breaches.
