Paedophile handed 8 years jail for sex with girl goes on run in Portsmouth and Surrey

Predator Kyle Middleton was given an extended sentence in March 2018 when he was jailed for five counts of sexual activity with a child under-16 at Portsmouth Crown Court.

After being released on licence in December 2021, the 24-year-old, who was on the sex offenders register, was told to stay in child sex offender accommodation.

But the alarm was sounded after Middleton failed to return to the address on December 29.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how Middleton had been denied the opportunity to spend Christmas with his grandfather which sent him into a downward spiral resulting in him making an attempt on his own life.

‘When he was released he went on the run because he could not spend Christmas with his family,’ defence barrister Karly Mee said.

‘Another male then took (Middleton) under his wing and remained with him until March.’

The court heard the defendant stayed at a number of places including hotels in Portsmouth and Surrey while he was on the run.

But he also stayed with his newly found friend - who he lied to over his identity and history - resulting in Middleton falling foul of his court order after young children stayed at the address. The defendant was not allowed to stay in a household where children 18 were.

Ms Mee said this was a ‘coincidence’ before adding: ‘There was no suggestion he tried to interfere with the children in any way.’

Middleton was finally arrested on March 11 near Godalming, Surrey, after giving a false name to police of Jay Rodriguez. However, finger prints confirmed his true identity.

During his period on the run, Middleton was found in breach of his sex offender notification requirements on seven occasions between December 29 and March 12. These included for using social media platforms and adopting the Jay Rodriguez alias.

He was also in breach of a sexual harm prevention order after failing to declare to police of a newly purchased iPhone and and for being in the same household as children under 18.

After being exposed, Middleton told officers: ‘I did it (used fake names on social media) to avoid being caught.’

His defence barrister added: ‘He adopted an uncaring attitude (when on the run). He knew the police would catch up with him.’

The lawyer went on to say the licence conditions had not ‘adequately supported’ Middleton - a man she described as being ‘immature and having difficulties with mental health’.

‘He was in a hostel with sex offenders and he made a request to spend time with his grandfather at Christmas which was refused due to his licence conditions,’ she said.

The man Middleton had befriended and who put him up was left ‘numb’ by the experience. He said: ‘We trusted him and gave our friendship.’

Judge, Recorder Richard Tutt, told Middleton: ‘You are a high risk of harm to children, in particular adolescent females.

‘These were very serious and persistent breaches.’

Middleton was then handed a 20-month sentence.