There’s a big row in football circles in N Ireland over the young footballer Jay Donnelly who was convicted of sending an indecent picture of his 16 year old sexual partner via social media while he was in bed with her. Because under 18s are legally children, the offence is classified as making an indecent picture of a child and he’s been naturally branded a paedophile who should never play again.
Adam Johnson (footballer) has actual 'physical contact' with girl of 15 and was roundly supported on this forum ("she knew what she was doing".... "it's a set-up"... etc, etc.)
Gill sent some texts to someone posing as a 15 year old girl (it *was* a set-up, in this case), had no physical contact whatsoever (because the girl didn't exist) and is in line for a good kicking on here.
How did Mr Towler know his colleague was a paedophile and what business was it of his to be spreading what he knew?
Without the opportunity for employment, rehabilitation, and appropriate supervision, people like Gill will likely keep offending , leading to more victims.
“ ichkeria, what do you mean he has 'naturally been branded' as a paedophile? Do you believe his is a paedophile?”
“Popularly” perhaps is better way of putting it. To the extent that clubs have hesitated to sign him.
Of course I’m not branding him as such (nor trying to exonerate him)