Banbury singleton in court for having women at his flat

That order was initially imposed on Christopher Hirons in 2010 after concerns about him advertising for a live-in au pair, despite the fact he had no children. He was said to have asked applicants for a ‘semi-nude photograph’ for a swimming pass.

Although no charges were laid at the time, Thames Valley Police convinced the magistrates to grant a sexual offences prevention order. Among the prohibitions was a ban on his having lone women at his home.

In spite of the ban, 60-year-old Hirons struck up friendships with two women between January and August this year. Both women visited him at the flat and even stayed over, sleeping on the sofa.

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One of the two women, who was herself described as vulnerable, said she had been to Hiron’s flat in Marshall Road, Banbury, ‘about 50 times’ and stayed over around five times.

She made it clear that her relationship with the defendant was purely platonic.

However, it appeared that Hirons may not have seen it as such. In July, he told the police officer monitoring him that he was interested in a relationship with the woman.

A second woman had visited the defendant’s home several times a week after meeting him at a bible studies group.

Hirons, of Marshall Road, Banbury, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to breaching the sexual harm prevention order. He had previous convictions, including for an indecent assault dating back several decades.

Christopher Hirons outside Oxford Crown Court (Image: Oxford Mail)

Mitigating, Gareth James said the defendant had told one of the women he had a previous conviction for a sexual offence, but did not tell her what it was about.

His client was not in the best of health and required a mobility scooter, it was said.

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Sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb said: “What I am concerned about is the future protection of particular females, females who may have their own difficulties which might well require a measure of protecting from you.

“It needs to be ensured that if they decide to have any form of relationship with you, they are consenting to it.

“It’s a necessary part of this whole process that you are not to be alone with any woman at your address without the necessary agreement of your public protection officers.”

She imposed a two-year community order with a mental health requirement. The sexual harm prevention order remains in force.