Parks ban for 'monster' who spied on girls

SEXUAL predator who carried out detailed surveillance on children has been hit with a court order banning him from entering named parks, rugby and football clubs, housing estates, streets and footpaths, and going within 100 metres of any school.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Steven Loveridge mapped the movements and habits of young girls and researched the best spots from which to watch them, as well as plotting “escapes routes” he could use which avoided CCTV coverage.

He also used dice and playing cards to play a “warped” game of chance to determine his victims and the kind of offending he would carry out.

Last month the 60-year-old was given an extended sentence as a dangerous offender at Swansea Crown Court. Following the sentence, police described Loveridge as a “monster”.

Now Loveridge has been made the subject of a 20-year sexual harm pre-vention order (SHPO) which is designed to control his behaviour once he is released from custody.

Under the order, the defendant is prohibited from loitering within 100 metres of any school, nursery or playgroup and is banned from entering Blackpill in Swansea, Victoria Gardens in Neath town centre, Gorsedd Park in Ystradgynlais, Gwynfryn Park in Alltwen, and Ystrad Fawr Nature Reserve in Ystradgynlais.