Police in warning over sex offender

Cleveland Police urged anyone who spots Geoffrey Ball to ring 999 as he is wanted for breach of the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Unkempt Ball, who is originally from Newport, South Wales, was seen on Saturday, May 25 in a Redcar pub. He has lived in the Cleveland area for two years.

Detective Inspector Kath Barber, from Cleveland Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “He has resided all over the country and has links to other areas, although our search has started in Cleveland as this is the last place he was seen.

“Mr Ball has got previous convictions for violence which is why we would advise members of the public if they see him, not to approach him, but to call police immediately on 999.

“He also has previous convictions for fraud, deception and sexual assault.

“He was recently released from prison after serving five weeks of a ten-week sentence for breaching his notification requirements, and he has failed to notify police of his whereabouts.

“I would particularly urge people to be vigilant around social media sites as he uses them to make contact with people he doesn’t know.

“We are concerned because our officers take a proactive approach to managing offenders in the community and it is rare that we do not know where they are.

“We are therefore keen to trace Mr Ball as soon as possible and would ask that anyone with information contacts us.”