Paedophile Dilemma

[lindapalmara]

I have a dillemna. I have recently discovered that a self confessed paedophile lives in the next village. I had some misgivings about this man and googled his name. He came out of jail recently after being convicted of sexual offences against young boys and making indecent images whilst running a "child model agency" both in this country and in Spain. The police found 23,000 indecent images of children on his computer. He also served a 6 year term some years ago for the rape of a 12 year old boy. When he left jail his mother had died and he moved into her house, which he has now sold and intends to move back to Spain. He was required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. I read an article recently saying the a large amount of paedophiles go under the radar by moving abroad to reoffend. I am sure he intends to do this. Who do I contact about this? I have children and grandchildren and what this man seems to be doing has lost me sleep since I found out.

[emmie]

you can't be sure that he intends to reoffend if he moves abroad, no more than you can if he stays here. What would you propose to do, he must already be known to the police if he is on the sex offender register, you can't take matters into your own hands, unless he has actually done something, like approached children and even then it would be difficult to prove he had any intent of harm.

[factor-fiction]

You clearly feel it's a dilemma for you. The two choices are (a) accept he's committed his sentence, do nothing and leave it to the authorities to monitor him or (b) notify the police and let them decide what to do.
I am not sure though where the information has come from- if you have heard somehow that he's moving to Spain then maybe the authorities have heard the same stories too. It may just be gossip of course- I don't know

[EDDIE51]

If you know about him so do the police and social services, there is nothing more you can do.

[AlwaysConfused]

This is difficult. I have recently come across this. Naturally, I wanted to break his legs, but I couldn't, I had to be diplomatic. I made the situation aware to the relevant persons. He had served his time, off the offenders list, so what can we do apart from being vigilant? (i still want to break his legs!!!)

[emmie]

if anyone were to touch him, harm him in some way, that person will be up in court, you might want to do something like tell the neighbours, if they don't know already, however he doesn't even live nearby to you, so why should you be so concerned.

[EDDIE51]

Not what you want to hear but the ones to worry about are the ones who have not been caught yet. this guy knows he is being watched and is far less likely to do anything more.
It has been estimated that well under 10% of peadophiles ever get caught so there are dozens out there, they have just never been caught and put on the register, you can never know about those.

[dizmouk2009]

There isn't really much you can do other than do as the others on this thread have suggested

AlwaysConfused: I'd feel exactly the same way, expect I would actually probably break his legs.

It is one of few crimes that no matter how long the person does a stint in Her Majesty's pleasure they will never be forgiven by the rest of society. Even if you did break his legs he still wouldn't of received enough punishment in my eyes.

Obviously this is just my opinion.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd have hoped the authorities would already have rules on passing information across to the country such folk move to. I may be wrong but I'm unsure a citizen bringing it to attention would tell them anything the system would not already pick up on, nor change whatever it is that is passed over. But there again it isn't my area of expertise.

[lindapalmara]

Thanks for all your answers but I will answer a couple of questions: how do I know he is moving to Spain? He told me. We viewed his house as we are thinking of moving. I googled him and came up with the details, plus a photograph of him I have no intention of "taking matters into my own hands" but I would like to alert the relevant authorities, unless he tells them they won't know until he's gone and the Article I read said these people can be stopped from going abroad if they know they are about to but do nothing once they go. I once lived in Spain and met many characters who had "reinvented" themselves.

[Boto]

He is unlikely to be a threat to your children/grandchildren if he moves to Spain. Why do you want to stop him from moving? Let the Spanish authorities deal with him.

[lindapalmara]

I have decided to take Factor-fictions (b) option. Thanks

[EDDIE51]

By all means do it, all that will happen is the UK police will wash their hands of him as soon as he leaves. If on the other hand you you do nothing he will remain on the sex offenders register and 'flag up' if he comes back here and comes to the attention of the authorities in any way. The sex offenders register is very far from perfect but it is better than nothing.

[joko]

i agree its not something you are equipped to judge really - that said you are probably right, he may well re-offend and not get caught because he's away
this is not a man who has just fallen for a 15 year old - this is a man who was so enamoured with kids he created an agency and made it his job, an elaborate cover, so chances are hes a cunning yet brazen man, who is not 'cured'.

i would just warn the police of your fears and let them deal with it - you could also message the spanish authorities with all you 'know' - include newspaper articles etc too ... stick to absolute facts though and be careful of using inflammatory and emotive language though if you want them to take more notice.

you may be 'sure' but its not fact, its your knee jerk response... and the police must deal with a lot of this sort of thing and have to sift out the hysteria and find the genuine concerns.

just acknowledge that this is all just your assumptions and concerns but that you just felt you should at least make someone aware of the situation

they can then at least flag him up and watch him.

[mikey4444]

Have you tried erecting a large firey cross on his front lawn ?

[Sqad]

Can one really Google a name and get one's criminal history?

[rockyracoon]

No sqad, but newspaper articles may pop up though.

[Sqad]

Rocky........thanks.

[joko]

also is it definitely him? have you seen photos in these articles?

there have been cases of people being hounded for having the same name.

an old friend of mines life has been ruined because he has the same name as a paedophile. a really really common name.

there were no photos, but he also unfortunately matched the description of the guy.
he has had to change his name

[lindapalmara]

This man hasn't got a common name. I recognised him from the photo in several newspaper articles. I showed the photo to several people and they all. instantly recognised him. I don't believe the police would just let him go abroad so they can get shut of him. They know where he lived before because his offending with the model agency was also taking place in his rented villa. They can take action before he leaves with an injunction and this may deter him or maybe not but its worth a try. By the way my two grandsons live in the same street so maybe you can understand my concern.

[piggynose]

mikey444, trust you