Community's anger

Published 11 Feb 2010 09:40

By Ewan McInnes

A CONVICTED sex offender has been re-housed in Barrhead having recently been released from prison.

Residents will be horrified to know the paedophile, - caged for five years after abusing three girls aged between six and 12-years-old - is living in the town.

He is residing in Barrhead close to Cross Arturlie Street, which is popular with shoppers in the area, and he is believed to have been living in the area for four weeks.

The News understands that because the beast was living in East Renfrewshire when he was convicted of his sordid crimes, it is up to the council to find an address for him to be re-housed.

Upon hearing that the pervert had been moved into Barrhead, a concerned member of the East Renfrewshire Tenants and Residents association said: "My thoughts are quite simply that there should be notification of some sort to the public because these people are dangerous.

"A sex offender was recently moved from Newton Mearns to Barrhead.

"East Renfrewshire Council told us when we challenged them that they had moved him immediately out of the area.

"I just think society is bending over backwards to let people away with things and I don't think it is right.

"Children need to be protected and it is not always happening.

"Surely we should tag these people at all times, what would happen if they all met up together?

"At the very least every councillor should be informed who is in their area.

"Telling the public might cause mayhem, but all councillors should be told who is in their ward and if necessary take action.

"I am not happy about it but as a residents organisation we are not entitled to know who or where they are."

One horrified resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a bit of a shock.

"It just seems that these criminals are always re-housed in Barrhead, why can't they put them somewhere else for a change and away from here.

"The crimes this man is convicted of are acts of depravity and someone like him is not welcome in Barrhead.

"Parents shouldn't have to live in fear for their children's safety especially when convicted sex offenders are roaming the streets without residents being told."

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council confrimed that it is obligated to re-house this man.

He said: "When a registered sex offender from East Renfrewshire is released from custody and has no home to go to, the council has a statutory duty to house that person who is monitored closely by police, social work and housing officers following a risk assessment of each individual case.

"The person will continue to be monitored after taking up a tenancy and throughout the period of that tenancy."

Police policy on the matter of sex offenders is similar to the council's and they have been made aware of any sex offenders placed in Barrhead.

They will also keep an eye on these criminals to ensure they do not pose a danger to the public.

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 10 Feb 10

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