A SEXUAL predator pictured holding a new-born baby in his arms is back behind bars after failing to tell the tot's mum of his previous convictions.

Curtis Ferguson, who had recently met the baby's mother, spent three years in prison after preying on children in Warminster, where he lived, while still a teenager.

Shortly after his release from prison in July 2016, the former St Augustine’s Catholic College pupil moved to Windsor Road in Bournemouth.

He then met the young mum, who was heavily pregnant.

She gave birth to a son in August.

A court heard Ferguson, now 26, then started visiting her home almost daily, sometimes letting himself in and even picking up the baby without permission.

Over the course of several months, the defendant became so well-known to the new mum that she considered asking him to babysit for her.

However, in February of this year, she learned of the defendant's previous convictions after a friend shared a news story about him on Facebook.

Ferguson admitted two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Stuart Ellacott said Ferguson had described the baby as "good-looking" and "beautiful".

In 2009, Ferguson admitted sexually assaulting a female child under 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.


He was sentenced to a community order.

Four years later, in July 2013, Ferguson was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a male under the age of 16 and five counts of inciting a male under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

All charges relate to one victim, a boy abused by the defendant as part of a 'dares' game. Two years after the abuse, Ferguson allegedly made "threats of blackmail" and assaulted the same child again.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and served the full sentence after breaching a notification requirement when he was released midway through the term.

Mitigating for Ferguson, Robert Grey said the defendant could only be sentenced for breaching the terms of his sexual harm prevention order.

Ferguson rejected a suggestion made in a pre-sentence report that he "may have been grooming this child", Mr Grey added.

Sentencing Ferguson to 16 months in prison, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC told the defendant: "You were never left alone with her son but you were no doubt moving towards that position because you were ingratiating yourself and friendship with the family was increasing."

Judge Fuller said Ferguson is "still a young man", but is "heavily convicted for sexual offending".

"Offending in this case was deliberate and it was over a prolonged period of time," he said.

"I do not sentence you on the basis you were grooming the child, but you were opening yourself to the possibility of access to a young and vulnerable child.

"As the author of your pre-sentence report makes clear, your sexual predilections are wide-ranging and you are in the highest category for risk both in terms of reoffending and of causing harm to children."