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!

“He’s got his own troubles”

Aww, poor soul. My heart breaks for a deviant beast.

Because most decent parents do not allow their primary school aged kids to be out on their own wandering the streets / park and shouldn't be allowing unsupervised access to social media. How is he going to access them .. ?

Not related to this particular situation but I used to work in a prison and there was a unit full of them. Most of their partners and wives stick by them.

It's not 'child porn' it's child sex abuse. Why are you so keen to be an apologist for paedophiles?

I would be uncomfortable too

there are many child sex offenders and those that have no been caught living in the community

as uncomfortable as this is you are aware so you know he isn’t someone you want to be on friendly terms with

There's nothing you can do, but I'd be absolutely sickened by him and would be giving him a wide berth!

"Child porn"???? It's abuse. That's what it is call it what it is.

The poster with the “His crime was child porn. Not snatching children off the street into his van.” comment hasn’t got a clue.

The animal living near to the OP searched or ordered these images/videos, and that sick desire helped create and sustain a demand. Another kid being abused, another life ruined somewhere.

Just because he didn’t last hands on them directly doesn’t mean he’s any less guilty.

Paedophiles have to live somewhere.

And? Quite rightly OP is keen for them not to live over the road from her

Loads of primary kids walk to school on their own and back round here.

Yes that’s true sadly, I think you can use it if there is good reason for them to disclose it as in you’ve started dating someone and you have children. It covers a few circumstances but they are selective about disclosure. I just mentioned as few people saying you should be able to know who they are.

Might get that printed on a t-shirt. So he knows I know. 😂

I honestly can’t stand that “well the paedos need to go somewhere don’t they?” stance.

I do feel very strongly about this topic (obviously 🤣) and I would happily put each and every one of them into American-style villages nowhere near anyone else. Similar to the Louis Theroux documentary. Put them in caravans, put signs up to warn others and let them rot.

Is it possible the address reported in court was the address he was living at when charged? Either way you can check with the police.

Well I suppose he could just live over the road from another family with young kids

I would move, personally.

Not a paedophile story but relevant I guess. I was seriously sexually assaulted by a stranger while I was walking home from work. He got 4 years in jail and came out on license half way though, broke the licence conditions by disappearing and when he was caught he got sent back to jail. A few years passed and then to my horror he is in the local news for glassing someone in a pub and living on the same street as a friend of mine. Of course I let her know but this just shows that offenders are everywhere and it is only when they are in the news that we know about them.

Educate your children age appropriately. I would also be sharing this info with any other families living in your street.
I would calmly tell him/ his wife that you know and are not happy with his presence.

Why? She could just as easily move to a new area and find herself in an identical situation!

That's awful OP, how distressing for you.

I think it would scare most people when they realise firstly how common that particular crime is and secondly the perfectly normal seeming people who engage with that sort of behavior.

You could have an unknown paedophile living next door and tbh I think that's worse because then you aren't prepared for it. I think you do what you would do normally, you teach your children how to advocate for and protect themselves just as you should do with any adult because any adult could be harmful towards them.

Where to?

So you'd honestly spend thousands of pounds selling your home & purchasing another with zero guarantee that your new neighbour won't also be a wrongun'? 🙄

Parents should be doing those things anyway. It baffles me how many people let their young children be naked in public and put pictures of them on social media.

People can take photos, my dear.