William King, 45, had denied sexually assaulting a woman after she fell asleep while he was giving her a lift home in 2023.
He was charged with sexual assault and false imprisonment. He was found unfit to stand trial, but, after hearing the evidence, the Royal Court found that he had ‘done the physical acts that make up the offences’ of sexual assault and false imprisonment.
Since January last year, King has been detained at His Majesty’s pleasure, where an individual has an indefinite hospital sentence until authorities agree to release them into the community. He has been held in the Oberlands where he has been partaking in a sex offenders treatment programme.
There was said to be no more treatment appropriate for him at the in-patient facility, and he wished to move onto the next phase of his rehabilitation in the community.
King applied to the Ordinary Court for his release, and a plan has now been finalised for his gradual reintroduction, which is due to begin this week.
He will be discharged from the Oberlands over a four-week period, which may be slowed if the multidisciplinary team has any concerns.
King broke his Sexual Offences Prevention Order twice while in the Oberlands, including accessing the internet on a communal device on the ward, and searching up his ex-partner. There were also incidents of aggressive and rude behaviour and racist abuse to a member of staff.
On his release to the community, King will work with Dr Dominic Bishop, clinical director for mental health and adult disability for the Bailiwick, and will receive one-to-one support with Adult Disability Services. Police and probation officers will also support his release programme.
King did not appear in court to hear judgment passed by Judge Catherine Fooks, due to the absence of an intermediary. But he was addressed personally in the judgment.
‘Mr King, you will be released into the community,’ she said.
‘You must work with Dr Bishop and his team and will be subject to the Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Do not breach it or you will be back before the court.’
She said that it was vital that there was no relaxation in vigilance for signs of breaches, concerning behaviour or need for mental health treatment.
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