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Original poster

To ask your thoughts on Jon Venables joining a dating site?

480 replies

Sallystyle · 26/01/2015 12:57

With his new name no one can do a google search on him and find his history.

He was found not long ago with images of child abuse.

Should he be able to get on with his life now he is out of prison? Of course he can just as easily meet someone in the pub.

I just had a debate with a family member about this so interested in your thoughts.

Link here

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/james-bulger-killer-jon-venables-5039227

OP posts:
Original poster
Sallystyle · 26/01/2015 12:58

Apparently the website he uses is one that is popular with young single mothers.

OP posts:
LeftyLoony · 26/01/2015 13:00

I'd hope his probation officer is aware and that should he meet a single parent then if the terms of his license state that intervention is necessary then it happens.

InfinitySeven · 26/01/2015 13:01

Is he not supposed to have limited and supervised internet access, after his last offence? I'd be interested to know if that is still the case, and if so, whether this is allowed.

I think it is horrifically unfair on anyone who meets him, and does not know about his past. Especially if they go on to have children, although presumably social services would get involved at that point, and she would find out that he had convictions if not who he actually is.

It doesn't seem possible to balance his right to safety and a chance at rehabilitation, which he was granted when his identity was legally changed, with the rights of people to know who they are talking to/dating/marrying/etc.

Dawndonnaagain · 26/01/2015 13:01

I see no evidence of this. Should the police see evidence I am fairly sure he will have broken terms of his release and will be imprisoned again.

Hatespiders · 26/01/2015 13:03

It is disturbing to say the least. But frankly, one is taking a risk with online dating anyway, and even rl dating. You can never be entirely sure that the person you're meeting is normal and safe to be with.
I can't think of a viable safeguard though. One can't legally pursue Venables throughout his life with constant surveillance, or forbid him to date.

Goldmandra · 26/01/2015 13:04

I'm not sure what purpose is served by MNers having a good old gossip about it. If you know about it, I'm pretty sure the probation service do and will take appropriate action.

ilovechristmas1 · 26/01/2015 13:08

him being able to access lonely,single mums sends a shiver down me

i thought he had restricted access to the internet to

i really dont see how he can be kept an eye on all the time,it's impossible

with all his history and i also mean the recent abuse pictures it just smacks to me that he is a dangerous individual and has not been rehabilitated and will always pose a high risk

if i had the power he would be serving life till his dying days

RosyAuroch · 26/01/2015 13:09

Jesus Christ, what fresh hell is this?

I think if they can limit his internet access, this could be one of the categories he has to avoid.

I realise there are risks with any kind of dating, however the fact that you can a) filter for things like whether someone already has children on dating websites and
b) arrange a much higher volume of dates/meetings surely increases the risk factor.

A dating website could basically be used as a very effective tool to target someone vulnerable in these circumstances. I'd say that banning someone from online dating sites would be no different from saying someone can't live within 100 yards of a school for example.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 26/01/2015 13:11

i thought there was a ban on publicising his identity, be it old or new, because even if he is up to no good, this can be construed as harrassment?

i might be wrong though

Hatespiders · 26/01/2015 13:11

Isn't there a means of finding out if a new partner/bf has any record for crimes against children? Something to do with little Sarah Payne?

Aeroflotgirl · 26/01/2015 13:11

I feel its a disgrace tbh. No more hiding his identity, people need to know who he is. What are the government doing to protect potential victims, they seem hellbent on protecting him.

momb · 26/01/2015 13:12

Leave him alone. Is it not shameful enough that two little boys were tried as adults because the gutter press stirred up a shit storm of public outrage. Even now, years later, the press are hounding them. Let the services do their job.

Aeroflotgirl · 26/01/2015 13:13

I think if he does enter a relationship, especially with a partner who has a child, it us up to the government to inform them who he is for her and her childs safety.

Aeroflotgirl · 26/01/2015 13:14

Their not momb, he is a booming paedophile. Yes too right they were tried as adults, their crime has discpicable and disgusting.

ilovechristmas1 · 26/01/2015 13:15

momb are you his mother

SquirmOfEels · 26/01/2015 13:15

We never seem to hear anything about what Robert Thomson has made of his life now.

Jon Venables was recalled to prison for having images of child abuse. I expect he is not the only person with a criminal record for sex offences on dating sites.

Becles · 26/01/2015 13:16

What momb said

willowriver · 26/01/2015 13:17

I imagine he is on the child sex offenders register under his 'new' identity.

He is not alone; numerous paedophiles target single mothers. Including those without convictions. The most dangerous thing you can do to a child statistically is being an unrelated male into their home.

Varya · 26/01/2015 13:17

No priveleges for JV thanks.

Original poster
Sallystyle · 26/01/2015 13:17

momb, did you miss the bit where he was found with child abuse images quite recently?

OP posts:
JennyOnTheBlocks · 26/01/2015 13:19

"The most dangerous thing you can do to a child statistically is being an unrelated male into their home"

got any statistics to back this up, willow?

BastardGoDarkly · 26/01/2015 13:19

I think there was a shit storm because two young boys tortured and murdered a 5 year old. One of whom has gone on to down load images of child abuse. As an adult. I don't think he's safe to be out, let alone on the internet.

Latara · 26/01/2015 13:20

It's quite scary, I'm about to start trying Online Dating again & this reminds me that you can't trust anyone on there.

However, as U2 said, you could meet him in a local pub & not know who he was - I've dated some men who turned out to be dodgy (but NOT child abusers thank god) who I met in local nightclubs etc.

linalool · 26/01/2015 13:20

momb he is not a "little boy" anymore and there are children who could unknowingly be at risk from him now

Hatespiders · 26/01/2015 13:20

I think it's called Sarah's Law, but not sure if it's still in operation. It gives people with children the right to know if someone is on the sex offenders' register.
I have no children, but I still wouldn't want to date a child murderer or paedophile! Who would??
Personally, I think there are some offenders who for the safety of the rest of society should never be at liberty. Draconian but necessary imv.