Police looking for 'scary' sex offender often seen in seaside town

Jason Evans

21 June 2024 at 9:22 am·2-min read

Police are appealing for help to find a sex offender who has failed to abide by the requirements of the sex offenders register after being released from prison. Officers say Stephen James is known to frequent the Tenby area and intelligence suggests he has been sleeping rough along the coast.

The 52-year-old was jailed in November last year for sexually assaulting girls in shops in Tenby town centre. On that occasion Swansea Crown Court heard James preyed on young girls while they were out shopping with friends and family members, touching the girls' groins and try to kiss one of them.

CCTV footage showed he had followed one of the girls and her family between shops before attacking her. One of the girls described James as having "grey hair and a scary face." For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here.

James, formerly of Station Road in Tenby but now of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for the sexual assaults and was put on the sex offenders register. It is not known when he was released from that sentence but defendants ordinarily serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Police have released CCTV of James -Credit:Dyfed-Powys Police

Dyfed-Powys Police say James is now wanted for failing to comply with the conditions of the sex offenders registration scheme and are appealing for help from the public to locate him. As part of that appeal officers have released a CCTV image of the wanted man.

A spokesperson said: "Can you help us trace Stephen Haydn James, wanted for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements? Stephen is 52-years-old, and of no fixed address, but is known to spend a significant amount of time in the Tenby area. Information also suggests he sometimes sleeps rough along the coastline. If you have seen him, or know where he might be, please get on touch." If you can help call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Dyfed-Police have now confirmed following their appeal that Stephen James has been arrested and will return to prison for failing to comply with the terms of his release licence.

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