Jail for sex offender who approached girls in Mansfield street
A sex offender has been returned to jail after breaching a court order by approaching two children.
David Harcombe is prohibited from having any contact with a child aged under 16 as part of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed in August 2023.
He flouted the order on two occasions in July 2025 when he accosted two girls in the street.
On July 17, police received reports a young girl had been approached by a man driving a van in Forest Town, Mansfield.
The victim was assisted by members of the public after knocking on a number of doors for help following the incident.
A second incident took place, again in Forest Town, on July 29, when another girl reported being approached by a man.
Harcombe was identified as suspect and was arrested and charged following an investigation by detectives from the force's Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
The 42-year-old, of HMP Nottingham, went on to plead guilty to two counts of breaching a SHPO.
At Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, June 22, he was jailed for a total of five years.
The SHPO will remain in place, alongside indefinite retraining orders to protect the two victims while Harcombe must also register with police indefinitely.
Detective Sergeant Elizabeth Gray, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our two victims were understandably left frightened and upset when Harcombe approached them in the street.
“We also know the incidents last year caused concern to the wider community in Forest Town.
“By having any contact with these girls, Harcombe was breaching a court order put in place because he poses a significant risk to children.
“SHPOs are an effective way for us to manage persistent offenders and keep the public safe.
“I am pleased Harcombe has now been returned to jail, and hope this case serves as a warning to other sex offenders about the consequences of ignoring these orders.”