Newport sex offender avoids jail after Bulgaria holiday

A convicted paedophile from Newport has narrowly avoided prison after failing to inform police about his passport and a week-long holiday to Bulgaria last summer. 🧳

Danny Shafi, 39, of Clearwell Court, Bassaleg, pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with sex offenders’ register notification requirements between June 12 and July 1, 2024.

The court heard that Shafi must register as a sex offender for life following his 2012 conviction for assault by penetration of a child under the age of 13, for which he received an eight-year sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Prosecutor Hashim Salmman told Cardiff Crown Court that Shafi has 22 convictions for 36 offences spanning from 1999 to 2023, including a similar previous breach two years ago, burglary, racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage, drug possession and other breaches of court orders.

Defence barrister Hannah Friedman claimed her client had simply “forgotten” to inform police about his passport and foreign holiday plans.

“Were he lucky enough to receive a sentence in the community, he would understand that this is his absolute last chance,” Miss Friedman told the court. “There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in this case.”

The court also heard that Shafi had experienced a “difficult childhood” and was the carer for his mother who died when he was 18.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Shafi to 48 weeks in prison but suspended the sentence for 18 months. Instead of imprisonment, Shafi must complete 26 sessions of an accredited programme, attend 12 mental health treatment sessions, and complete a five-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Additionally, Shafi was placed under an electronically monitored curfew for three months between 8pm and 8am and ordered to pay £150 in costs. ⚖️