Query about Sex Offenders Register - TW child sexual abuse

[VapeVamp12]

I recently saw someone I knew from a youth club 20 years ago at a local community event. I recognised him but couldn't place him until he came over to me and I asked his name. We remembered each other but I said to him "I remember you just not coming back one week" - he then went into a long story about how one of the youth club leaders had sexually assaulted him and two other boys. I was shocked, but remembered the guy vaguely. He reminded me of his name and a few memories slotted into place but there were only rumours at the time.

This guy told me that he reported it at the time but the two other boys didnt want to be give statements and the guy got off. He then told me he was contacted a few years later by Child Protection who were trying to get this guy put on the sex offenders register. Apparently they succeeded.

I was talking to my sister today about it as she attended the same youth club and we googled this guy. It turns out he is now the Town Clerk of a town a few over from us. He has a facebook profile where he is sharing things about local girl guide group and pictures from infant school fetes, etc.

I know this sounds stupid - but can I check if someone is on a sex offenders register? I believed the guy I bumped into when he told me but I can't believe someone on a SOR would get a position in a town council? From his FB profile and press releases he is very active in the community and would be interacting with children often.

Initially I thought I would contact the council but WHAT IF the guy I bumped into wasn't being completely truthful and I just cause trouble?

Sorry I didn't mean to add a vote

Where are you located? I’ve never heard of a town clerk. Knowing where you are will help people give appropriate responses.

From the town council website he basically works for the town mayor. I'm in SE, England

You can be on the register for a year or three or whatever.

Perhaps his times up.

Wouldn’t do any harm to raise your concerns with the local constabulary though?

To clarify I meant once your time is finished you’re off the register again.

I'd be surprised that you would be allowed a public office job if you have a criminal record especially of a sexual nature

Maybe an email to the HR department of the council explaining that there are rumours?

I've had a look on the website for HR but the town council seem really small - doesn't look like they have HR. I'm still in two minds about what to do.

Police? If he’s in the council doing a job he’s not allowed to do with a criminal record them they could advise? And they could go to the council rather than you and that preserves your anonymity?

He may well have only been cautioned? If so he's only on the register for two years- though I'm not sure he could get a council job with that. I'd have thought it would definitely be flagged up on a DBS check.,,.

Hang on. Have asked husband. Yes, technically this is possible. It may not be ideal, but town councillors are not required to have a DBS check, because they're not in the sort of activities which need them. If he's ever alone with children then, yes, it would be an issue- but that should never happen in an official fashion in his role.

So, yes, he could be in this role with a caution, which would mean he would only have been on the register for two years and, given the circumstances it does sound like that's the course of action the police probably went for- as a conviction would have meant your friend going to court, which I guess they would have mentioned.

So I think it's on you, OP. Technically he's not doing anything wrong- but as my husband's pointed out, the other counsellors may not agree. It's unlikely he'd be in his position if other people knew.

I work in a Safeguarding unit for the police.
There is Sarah's Law (www.parentsprotect.co.uk/police-disclosure-scheme.htm) which allows a parent/guardian to check on a known person to protect a child in their care, but this doesn't apply in your case.

In your case, I would recommend contacting police on 101 and telling them your concerns, letting them know the details and this will allow the Safeguarding dept to flag up anything if he actually is a VISOR subject.
If he isn't they might still record the information which may be useful in the future if anything untoward does ever happen.

Please don't ignore this and do nothing. Your information might be a piece of a puzzle to stop him doing anything in the future.

I would inform the police and if he is sharing information about a local Girl Guides group I would tell them too. If true he isn’t safe to be in a position where he works/volunteers with children.

@accentdusoleil

Maybe an email to the HR department of the council explaining that there are rumours?

The Town Clerk would be the person seeing the incoming post.

I think that you have to contact the police about this.

As someone above says, it could provide a piece of a puzzle.

Or it could be the start of one for the future x

Thanks everyone

I think I am going to call 101 in the morning. I said to my husband earlier if our son was attending the school which this town clerk was sharing posts about I wouldn’t be taking him in on Monday.

I found something out earlier which made it all seem a bit more sinister and it’s pushed to decide to contact the police.

How did it go?

A few thoughts before the advice ...
Start with being sure whether this is definitely the same person, not someone sharing a name.

Be prepared for the fact that the allegation may have been unproven.

The "trying to place them on the sex offenders register" feels wrong. It happens as part of the sentence when someone is convicted, so the only plausible explanation for the later contact part of your friend's story is that they were seeking a specific conviction for something else & recontacted your friend.

Every local authority has a designated person, or LADO (Google your top-level your local authority/LADO). They work in a multi-agency way to ensure that unsuitable adults do not have access to children. Call them, repeat the story just as you have here and they will be able to make discreet enquiries with the police and with the school/guides to establish whether this person actually (i) has a conviction, (ii) has access to children. They are unlikely to ever feedback to you for confidentiality purposes, but are usually very proactive on things like this.