Abuser ban is refused in court.

CLEVELAND Police's last ditch bid for a court order barring a convicted paedophile from having contact with children has failed at London's High Court.

Gary Haggas, from Thornaby, was hit with a Sexual offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by Teesside Magistrates last November after an application by police, who said it was necessary in light of his conviction in 1996 for gross indecency with a boy.

That stemmed from an incident in which he offered a boy pounds 5 in return for sexual favours.

The police also cited his alleged conduct since that conviction "which has caused the police to believe that is necessary to make such an order to protect the public from serious sexual harm". The SOPO imposed barred Haggas from contact with "any child or young person under the age of 18 years".

In March, a judge and two magistrates at Teesside Crown Court quashed the order saying there was insufficient evidence to justify it.

Cleveland Police appealed the decision at the High Court yesterday but judge, Mr Justice Collins ruled against the force.

He said the Crown Court panel was right to say that no reliance could be placed on recent allegations against Haggas. Haggas' alleged sexual misconduct since his 1996 conviction focused on two supposed incidents, the court heard.

In relation to one in 2001, no charges were ever brought, nor was he prosecuted "in any way".

An alleged 2007 incident resulted in a criminal trial over a schoolgirl's accusations that he had exposed himself to her, but the case was dismissed.