This needs reporting so it can be investigated

[yesthatsmyactualname]

I have been hearing rumours about an old colleague from various sources, let's call him Sid.
Sid is a gay man in his 30s. He has had a series of long term relationship with men younger than him but not crazy young, 3-5 years younger.
He is also involved in a lot of amateur dramatics. Apparently, his most recent relationship ended after he took a young guy to Blackpool for the weekend. They are just good friends but this is a lad of 18 and Sid was on the production team of the show.
Rumours about Sid being too friendly with a number of young boys. Being someone to look up to, being a mentor. It all could be completely harmless but the grooming rumours going round both the am-dram community and in schools, is a lot.
I feel these rumours should be passed on to either be dismissed and stopped or to stop him from harming children.
My colleague that told me the rumour isn't going to say to anyone in authority because they don't want to be involved or make malicious claims with no evidence.
I have even less evidence so would I be unreasonable to pass on what I've heard?

Report what? Rumours? Hearsay at best with no evidence? Why has no one else passed them on?

Plus there's the law of slander to consider.

Do nothing is my advice.

rumours... not your business. stop trying to stir the pot.

You seem to know a lot about an old colleague? If you know this then presumably those closer to him also do. If it's the am-dram group he is involved with they have a duty of care for safeguarding if indeed his choice of companion is getting younger but at 18 he isn't technically doing anything wrong regardless of personal opinions.

I just worry that this is like an open secret that lots of people know but everybody turns a blind eye.
The photos of the Blackpool trip were all over Facebook.
I hope that staying out of it, is the correct though.

It may be immoral, but, don’t think it’s illegal. We don’t have morality police in this country.

I think don't get involved

@TedWilson It was someone much closer who told me. Others have mentioned little comments in the past but nobody would confront him.

You could send the idea to netflix and see if they can make a show out of it.

What's eh accused of exactly? Having with relations with an 18 year old? Thats legal?

Who would you actually 'pass on' any of this to, to be investigated? Genuinely.

A young boy is an 8 year old, an 18 year old is an adult even if a young one and free to have a relationship with whoever they see fit.

If you believe that there is a chance that he is being inappropriate with those under 18 then report to the theatre safeguarding lead, safeguarding of children (and vulnerable adults) is everyone's problem. If not andits just young adults involved in am dram then it's a non-issue providing all are consenting and I suppose that the relationship is declared to ensure no conflicts of interest.

What are you going to report? That two consenting adults went to Blackpool? Whether you like it or not, that’s not a crime.

I wouldn’t get involved unless you have a solid basis on which to make an allegation, beyond “he said, she said”.

If a partner is 16 or over and Sid isn't in a place of authority, then it's legal and there's nothing you can do (other than socially grown at a bloke in his 30s going after what I'd essentially a child!).

What do you mean by 'young boys' OP? Do you mean children under 16?

Sounds familiar, are you sure Sid's name doesn't begin with P?

I think that just the accusation of inappropriate behavior with children could ruin someone's life. I would be loathe to report it unless I had first hand knowledge that that person had done something they shouldn't have done.

Sounds like age old homophobia, mutterings about the gay man being a predator.

Unless there’s an actual story behind the remounts and not just a generic “I’ve heard he’s interested in kids” type thing then there’s nothing to report or investigate.

The Am-Dram companies he works with should have designated safeguarding leads. Report to them.

Tha “Report what? Rumors?” Argument seems to forget the appalling failures at the BBC and over characters like Jimmy Saville - lots of people knew the rumours but nothing was said because it was ”just rumours”. Report it to safeguarding at the places he volunteers and leave it to them to investigate if necessary.

Oh it’s the good old gay = pedophile logic. Haven’t heard that one in a long time. How very sad.

Young men - 3-5 years younger??? I am 7 years older than my OH, and I can assure you, I did not 'groom' him!
If people feel these are more than rumours/witnessed inappropriate behaviour, they should be reporting it, not you as some tangentially placed romour-believer.
But go ahead and shit-stir, potentially ruin someone's life, based on 4th-hand gossip and rumour.
Please come back and tell us how it went if you do.
Yabu both for considering this and using the 'let's call him' opening. We know that real names aren't used here

Well, it's Blackpool..taking someone there in winter is criminal!
(I was born in Blackpool, visit family regularly, and love it really!)

Is Sid engaged in a teacher/tutor role with anyone under the age of consent in some official capacity?

Or is it just that 'he's part of the production team for a local amateur dramatics group and younger people look up to him as he is experienced and fun and interesting'...

If he has no offical role as an authority figure, teacher, etc... stay out of it. So far nothing you describe remotely sounds illegal.

Does he have an official role n the theatre groups?

If this was a man in his 30s taking an 18 year old girl to Blackpool for the weekend, there would be the usual mumsnet outrage and cries of grooming!! Pervert!! He should be ashamed!!
Yet gay man +18 year old lad = it's legal!! He's not doing anything wrong!!! Mind your own business!!

Malicious gossip will come back to bite you and may very well destroy innocent lives. Be very careful.

If you have evidence of whatever it is that you are accusing them of then you should absolutely report it. If not, stay well out of it for your own sake.