Neighbour is a convicted paedophile

[Abitlosttoday]

I have just found out that our close (proximity-wise) neighbour has been given a suspended sentence for looking at peadophilia online. His address, in the news report of court proceedings, is not our street but an address in a different town. However, it is him (there's a clear photo) and he has been living on our street with his partner for at least a year. I saw him a few days ago when he pulled his two dogs out of the way so I could pass with my kids. They're 4 and 7. (The kids, not the dogs!) I don't know what to think. It's a small street. I can see into his living room from mine. It's a small town too. His partner is my SIL's sister's boss. I don't know their names though - that's the level of familiarity. Just because my head is battered with half-term and I am exhausted, aibu to ask what your thoughts would be about this situation. All his crimes were online but some of the images were the worst sort.
We only know because another neighbour has a distant work connection to the guy. He may believe he has some anonymity here. I cried when I heard. I'm angry too. My head hurts, but that may also be because of this endless school break!

I wouldn’t want to defend him but other posters have advised, outing him is probably not the best idea. My friend lived next to a sex offender outed by a vigilante group, cars out the front all got badly smashed up, including hers.

I haven’t RTFT however I was in a similar position a few years ago. I discovered our neighbour was a convicted sex offender and had previous convictions and an ongoing one for inappropriate contact with children. It knocked me sick, largely because he could see into our garden from his house and my daughter (3/4 at the time) and friends children often played in the paddling pool etc and it made me feel very uncomfortable. I moved and he was later sentenced for reoffending. It’s a very unnerving feeling and as a parent you feel the need to protect your children.

Are you absolutely sure it’s him? I say this because someone in my family started saying that someone in her community was a paedophile, and it turned out not to be true (it was a case of mistaken identity). Luckily nothing happened to the man, but it was really awful.

There are 1000’s of peadophiles out there, its highly likely there are a few in the area you live in (like there are in my location!) I am more worried about the ones that haven’t been caught to be honest.

All you can do is protect your children as you would normally do, as you would with any other stranger danger and teach your children appropriate safety advice both linked to the internet and outside dangers.

The only thing you can do is worn more parents. I don’t think minding your own business like some people have suggested is the thing to do when you have a known predator in your midst. If everyone knows, parents of slightly older children can worn them and you might be potentially saving a 12 or 13 year old from being groomed. Even though I’d expect he’ll stick to the online medium.

I apologies, I misread the post as saying that he could see into the front room. Blame my crap eyes.

Without meaning to scare monger but you know he's a convicted peadophile.

However there are plenty of umconvicted ones answering around. That could be other neighbours.

You have to teach your kid the nspcc pants rule, about body autonomy etc and take control of the things you can control.

The whole world is scary but we can't hide just in case .

I am absolutely sure he is the man who appears in the news report about his conviction for online paedophilia. There is no doubt about this. He is the person who has been convicted and who is seen regularly on my street. He is photographed in the article and his Parkinson's disease is mentioned. In person, his illness is very obvious.

I think some age appropriate talks with your children about not going anywhere near his house. Appreciate that they wouldn’t be unsupervised but it’s good to start telling them this now and that not everyone can be trusted.

I had a convicted pedophile living 4 doors down the road. I was just glad I knew tbh. He's moved now. Nothing ever happened, he kept himself to himself.

Sorry, how is he not a threat?

If you are worried you can make a Sarah’s law request

https://www.sarsas.org.uk/resources/sarahs-law/

I can’t believe how many people are saying to do nothing, especially when there are young children right next door. Does his partner know of his conviction? Why would anyone stay with a paedophile🤢 I’d still let the police know especially as you said they’re chatty with a 6 year old, I’d let the child’s parents know too.

What on earth is with all these “so, stop gossiping?” comments.

What if it was YOUR child being rpd????

As a survivor of child abuse, I’m disgusted by these comments. Peado sympathisers.

OP you have every right to be concerned! How gross he has a partner, she is as bad.

Could be worse, if he was unconvinced you'd have no idea. Plenty of those fuckers walking about. Think on that, all you parents. And listen to your kids.

There are, sadly, paedophiles on every street, in every block of flats and on every street corner. At least you know about this guy so you are able to avoid and keep your children safe. It's safe to assume most people you don't know could be a risk, and act accordingly.

Just carry on your life :)

If he tries to speak to you or the kids (even in a friendly or passing way), I’d be sure to tell him that you know what he is.

Leave him with no doubt that he’s never to even look in their direction. No hellos, no parcels taken in for him, no Christmas cards through your door, no pleasantries. Same with his partner.

How horrible but as PP have said, at least you know where he is!
When I was a child my parents told me that a very bad man lived near us. He was a pedophile and they knew because of a police man in the family. He was pointed out to me regularly and I was told they he was the only person I could tell to fuck off ( loudly) if he ever spoke to me. Don’t cause panic or fear but let your children know who he is- but only if you are absolutely sure!

You will be surrounded by sex offenders and paedophiles, like most of us you won't be aware they are living close by.
Just live your life and don't leave your kids alone with anyone you don't know.

He won't be the only peadophile in close proximity and I don't say that lightly. There are more than you would ever realise so I would just keep your children safe and carry on with life

You say his parkinsons condition is very obvious - I'm guessing tremors, slow movements, poor coordination etc. Why are you behaving threatened by him? He probably can't walk in a straight line, and will only get worse. His crime was cyber related.

No. I don't condone paedophilia. But come on, some people are just looking for a punching bag to behave in a vigilante manner. Why? If he was convicted, he did his time. If it concerned you, I'd say act on it. But it doesn't concern you.

OP, there’s either some intentionally antagonistic people in this thread or some people with problematic sexual preferences themselves.

The peadophile pandemic is huge, it lurks in all walks of life. It is a way way bigger issue than any of us could ever ever imagine.

You are very right to be and feel concerned. There’s no way I wouldn’t warn every single parent within the vacinity. These monsters literally destroy the lives of our the most vulnerable and most innocent. I would also be calling the police. Do not apologise to those minimising the horror of peadohilia and for those that are playing down the impact of this on our society you may want to look at the new term ‘minor attracted persons’ and what certain groups are trying to normalise and make common place.

The fact that so many in this thread have been very quick to jump on you is quite frankly a highly disturbing sign of the times. would I have my pitchfork out. Absolutely I would!

People aren't necessarily saying 'do nothing' , they are merely suggesting that there is not much the OP can do other than protect her children. I dont want to sound flippant , but they have to live somewhere! If he is on the sex offenders register, he will be monitored by the police ex. IMO, although not ideal at least the OP knows about him .

It’s such a disgusting crime, if you are looking at pictures of children being abused you are scum as far as I’m concerned. Every time someone views a single piece of media a human being is being re-victimised. We are talking about children being raped, abused for entertainment or so some pervert can get a sexual thrill.

if I’m being completely honest I would be out there with my pitchfork. I’m an educated, intelligent, generally calm person. But crimes against children are so vile they are inexcusable. No-one who does that should feel comfortable. None of the kids in those downloads get to just carry on do they?

If you find children sexually appealing that doesn’t just go away. If you enjoy it you don’t suddenly stop do you?