Sex offenders can serve in the Army

The Ministry of Defence has admitted that sex offenders who are not jailed can serve in the armed forces.

An MoD spokesman said that military personnel who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register but do not receive a custodial sentence may keep their posts in ‘exceptional circumstances’. This would involve review by a panel to assess risk to others.

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A registered sex offender in the armed forces would, according to the spokesman, be ‘treated like any other serviceman’. The MoD has confirmed that 32 registered sex offenders are currently serving in the armed forces, which is facing ongoing recruitment problems.

The MoD’s admission followed the jailing of Callum Sandeman of the Black Watch for offences against children. Sandeman was jailed for 18 months after admitting lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour against two children. He has since been discharged from the Army.