A “high risk” sex offender has been jailed again after failing to tell police when he was kicked out of his emergency homeless accommodation in Dundee.
Martin Reeves, who was jailed after police found a missing schoolgirl hiding under his bed at his home in Perth, was being monitored when he vanished earlier this year.
The 35-year-old had been housed by the Dundee Survival Group after he was released from prison in late 2022.
When he was ejected for unpaid bills, he dropped off the grid for several weeks.
Reeves, who is on the Sex Offenders Register until 2031, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted failing to notify police about his change of address.
He was sentenced to another 10 months behind bars.
Freed from jail
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said Reeves had a “varied” criminal history of disorder and violence.
“He has convictions for violence against children and sexual intercourse with an older child,” she said.
“The accused is a registered sex offender, currently managed by the sex offender policing unit in Dundee.
“In January 2023, he was assessed by MAPPA as posing a high risk.”
Ms Ritchie told the court Reeves was released from jail on December 8 2022.
“At 11.30am on December 13, he attended at Bell Street police station and notified that he was residing at accommodation provided by the Dundee Survival Group,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard that after several weeks, Reeves was “discharged in relation to non-payment of service charges.”
Ms Ritchie said: “At this time, he was ‘of no fixed abode’ and he had 72 hours to notify Police Scotland about his change in circumstances.”
The court heard that a few days later, detectives visited the Dundee Survival Group for an unannounced check-up.
“They were informed of the accused’s circumstances by an employee,” said Ms Ritchie.
Police confirmed Reeves had not attended at any police station since his departure from the homeless unit.
On March 1, he was arrested in the foyer of Dundee police HQ after he “handed himself in.”
Further jail time
Solicitor David Holmes said his client, effectively homeless and isolated from his family, was trying to find somewhere to stay.
“His concern was that he had no address to register at.
“He became aware that the police were looking for him and went to speak to officers in Dundee.”
Sheriff William Wood told Reeves: “You have a multi-faceted and chequered history of offending but this is particularly serious.
“You have an obligation to notify police of your whereabouts, so that you can be found.
“If you have difficulty with that, it may be that other provisions could be put in place.”
The sheriff added: “There is a reason you are on the register and I am sure that you appreciate that.
“This was a serious breach and only a further custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Rottweiller attack
The court previously heard how Reeves had lured the vulnerable 15-year-old to his Perth city centre home and engaged in sexual activity with her.
He then ordered the youngster to hide when police came looking for her.
Reeves told officers he had not seen the girl, before they pointed out her jacket lying on his sofa and her hand sticking out from underneath his bed.
Days after he was jailed for the offence in June last year, Reeves returned to the same court and was sentenced for a separate charge of inciting his rottweiler to attack two schoolgirls.
The court heard he encouraged the dog to chase the youngsters, forcing them to run across a road without looking, as they tried to escape.
He was found guilty of attacking the 14 and 15-year-olds in Balhousie Street, following a trial.
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