Overview
- Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for 20 months by Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.
- Probation staff discovered a photo of him dressed as an elf in a grotto during a compliance visit on Valentine's Day last year, which prompted police enquiries and the prosecution.
- The image was taken when Smith volunteered as a 'meeter and greeter' at a charity Christmas event on December 25, 2024, where he also delivered a hamper to a home that had children present.
- Smith was already subject to a three-year community order and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order after a February 2024 conviction for attempted sexual communications with a child; he must sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and the SHPO runs until 2034.
- Organisers say they did not know about his convictions, a gap that highlights weaknesses in volunteer vetting and is likely to prompt charities and offender managers to review safeguarding and disclosure checks.