My neighbour is a convicted paedophile

[Obviouslyneedtonamechange]

I've just found out from another neighbour that the man two doors down, who we chat to regularly and are friendly with, has been convicted of horrific child pornography charges. Like, the worst. It's really thrown me, I have a two year old and a four year old and I want them to be able to play in their garden without worrying about him watching or worse.
We live on a really small street which the name of was reported in the local paper so I am also a bit worried about potential vigilante type actions. I am obviously hoping he moves away (his marriage has collapsed so I'm hoping he financially has to) but no sign of that yet. Incredibly he got a suspended sentence, what a joke. Am I unreasonable to feel like I want to move?! What do I do?

That's awful.

Obviously stop being friendly with him.

Do you believe the person that told you and how do they know? I think you can find out for certain ask your local police station how to check.

Oh it's definitely true. I've found the news article.

Oh we won't be chatting any more, no worries about that. But the sight of him makes me want to be sick.

That’s horrible and I would feel the same as you, sadly though paedophiles are everywhere and at least you know who this one is I suppose.
I’d stop being friendly with him though

I would still check with the police there have been some horrendous mistaken identities around paedophiles.

There are a lot about and many aren't known. That's why it's important to act as of there are wrong'uns everywhere when your children are concerned. Teach them to be polite but wary with everyone they don't know well. If the neighbour seems overly friendly, warn him off when the kids aren't about.

Does he have children? If so I wouldn’t let your child go to play round there.

You are right to be concerned. People convicted on child pornography charges have basically been paying someone else to commit child abuse. That's as bad as doing it himself. Suspended sentences are an insult to the victims. As long as you are certain that it's him, I'd avoid all contact.

You are being unreasonable. If you were to move, how would you guarantee that your new neighbours didn't have similar convictions? The best thing to do is carry on with your life and keep vigilant over your own children as I am sure you would do anyway.

And one other thing - people need to stop saying "child pornography", as it implies legitimacy. It's child abuse images.

No, no, no.

I don’t think many others share my views on this, which is fine, but I’d tell that beast that you know exactly what he is, and that you’re watching him. I also wouldn’t be shy in chatting to other neighbours about it.

Absolutely no prisoners taken; they deserve to be treated like pariahs.

What's the point in moving?

There are paedophiles everywhere unfortunately.

At least you know about this one, but you won't know about all the others in your area or in any other area.

Have you learned nothing from the people recently sent to prison for inciting violence, during the protests over asylum seekers?

Dangerous suggestion.

Definitely sure on identity. I think I will have to say something if I see him (which I will). I don't want him having an easy ride on a quiet street. I want him gone. The other neighbours are all upset too - one couple even took him out for a meal the other week because his wife had left him and he'd lost his job (makes sense now) and they wanted to cheer him up. He does have kids but they are at university now.

What will you saying something achieve? Get on with your life and stop looking for trouble.

I'd stop being friendly with him and tell all the neighbours. Hopefully he'll want to move out. If he doesn't, make sure you tell your children not to go near him, because he's a bad man.

You don’t need to go in all guns blazing with the “leave or…” threats. As another poster says, that could get you into trouble.

Nothing wrong with a very clear conversation though, in which you tell him exactly what you know, that the rest of the street also know, and that he’s being watched by everyone.

Once word gets round, his windows will go in, his car will be done over. Then they usually leave.

This. Obviously you should tell your children to keep away from him. But it’s pointless to “want him gone.” He’s not in prison so he’s got to live somewhere.

Because otherwise it looks like he'll keep saying hi to me and chatting as normal! I need to cut that dead, I don't want him near me or my family. So I'll have to say something like "I don't want to have anything to do with you. You know why." Or similar.

Exactly what I was thinking, it makes me cringe every time I see someone say that. It totally downplays what actually happens

No, you DON'T have to say anything OP. It's rather that you WANT to.

Agreed.

Plus the OP has no idea what her other neighbours are looking at online.

Just leave it now OP and hopefully he'll move out.