Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

There is going to be a convicted peadophile at BIL's wedding

132 replies

FoghornLeghorn · 16/02/2007 10:28

BIL is getting married in the summer, his fiancé's uncle is going to be there but at the minute he is serving a sentence for abusing his own children.
I don't know what sentence he recieved or how long it was for but I do know the basics of what allegidly happened as BIL's fiancé is a close friend and she confided in me when the court cse was going on.

Her family genuinely believe he is innocent and the children are lying about everything.

I never liked the man before I knew about any of this and now it is making me feel extremely uncomfortable about attending the wedding.
I don't know whether he did what he was accused of or not but it makes me feel very uneasy knowing he is going to be in close proximity to my children and alot of others. I know it is irrational as it is quite unlikely he would abuse anyone's child there and then but I just don't like it.

What would your thought be in my situation?

OP posts:
kittylette · 16/02/2007 11:23

and it still makes me sick i remember sitting on his knee

kittylette · 16/02/2007 11:24

well at that point he wasnt convicted or suspected, it came out years later

NadineBaggott · 16/02/2007 11:24

"he is serving a sentence for abusing his own children"

"Her family genuinely believe he is innocent and the children are lying about everything"

Lord help those children

As for attending the wedding if I had young kids I don't think I'd go. Not because I thought they'd be in danger, I just wouldn't want to be in his company.

FluffyMummy123 · 16/02/2007 11:24

Message withdrawn

kittylette · 16/02/2007 11:27

yes i agree but my point is he managed to abuse a boy in a crowded room of 60+ people

so i wouldnt say there isnt a risk at the wedding

any any risk is too much when it comes to peados

coddysmummywummy · 16/02/2007 11:28

oh ok
well do what oy like fl

monkeymonkeymoomoo · 16/02/2007 11:44

Foghorn - I feel for you, what a dilemma. If it was an ordinary party the decision would be easy but a wedding is a whole different ball game. I agree with RR's earlier suggestion of you and DH going but not the kids and then if anyone asks explaining why in no uncertain terms. But before you take that decision maybe find out for definite if he is going or not and whether he would be allowed to go?

softmusk · 16/02/2007 12:06

i think another think that would worry me apart from wht every one else has said would be him getting copys of the wedding pictures with my kids in them the tohught makes me feel sick

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/02/2007 12:11

If he is serving a sentence currently I would very much doubt he would be allowed out for the day to attend this wedding.

I would personally have a very discrete word with the police.

I personally would not attend the wedding under these circumstances.

The deniers of the abuse are also complicit. Some people cannot or will not believe the truth because it is too horrible to comprehend that such an event happened within their own family unit. As they cannot comprehend it they ignore it or deny totally that it ever happened.

Locksikas · 16/02/2007 12:15

Message withdrawn

Piffle · 16/02/2007 12:18

He will be on the sex offenders registe and may be prohibited from attending events where children are present for a while.
The fact that it is all denied is what would stop me from going..

nearlythree · 16/02/2007 12:21

Get dh to go on his own. I wouldn't allow my dcs anywhere near an abuser. I'd be worried he'd target them at a later date - 'remember me, I'm uncle so-and-so'. Not worth the risk.

Dinosmum · 16/02/2007 12:22

It's grim that you're going to end up with this man in your family connection, Foghorn....

aquasea · 16/02/2007 13:09

What a horrible situation... but I don't think getting hysterical about it serves any purpose. I think phoning and asking exactly what the realistic likihood of this man being there is is a very good starting point. All this could be a fuss over nothing. If he IS going to be there, I would go, send my kids home after the ceremony, stay for a bit, avoid this man like the plague and go home. Duty done. No one's wedding ruined. Kids safe.

FluffyMummy123 · 16/02/2007 13:09

Message withdrawn

JodieG1 · 16/02/2007 14:35

I wouldn't go and I'd tell them all exactly the reason why. I'd also make sure the rest of the wedding guests knew the sort of person that was going to be there, especially if they have children too, they have a right to know who they are socialing with.

JodieG1 · 16/02/2007 14:36

Also, being in the same room as a convicted child abuser would make me feel sick and I'd feel like doing something or saying something.

expatinscotland · 16/02/2007 14:39

Good point, nearlythree.

catsmother · 16/02/2007 15:20

If not offending the family is all, I'd send DH on his own.

There's no way I'd want to be in the company of someone like that myself, before you even begin to weigh up the risk factor towards any children attending. What happens at most weddings ? ..... people circulate, you get talking to all sorts, what do you do if BIL's wife takes it upon herself to introduce this man to you ? Turn heel, and then cause a scene, or a future rift ? ..... 'cos no way would I even begin to countennance small talk with a convicted absuer.

If I attended in those circumstances, I don't think I would be able to take my eyes off him at all (though that'd be the last thing I'd want to do obviously). It would be horrendous ..... how would you feel if you loose sight of him, and then start wondering where he's gone, or what he might be up to ? At some point he would need to go to the loo - and I'd be thinking, who else is in there, were there any kids in there ? At your typical wedding, kids are running about excitedly all over the place, not sitting quietly with mum & dad. You can bet I'd be watching my own like a hawk, but I would also be feeling responsible for every other child there.

The actual probability of anything untoward happening is not the point - I would feel sick just to observe him watching children and I think the whole day woudl be excrutiating.

I wouldn't go unless I was told he wasn't going to be there, and if he turned up, I'd leave .... though I'd also feel a huge moral responsibility towards all other guests there with children. Which begs the question, if he does go, but you don't, I would still feel terribly concerned about other parents & children going who may not know his history - you'd have to try and tell them wouldn't you, so they can make an informed choice ...... or else, despite the (probably) small risk of something happening, you'd never forgive yourself if something did happen and you'd known.

crumpet · 16/02/2007 15:21

I wouldn't go or let my children go. And I would tell people why if they asked. Sweeping statement I know, but brushing it under the carpet is what allows these people to carry on - especially if in denial which is what this person seems to be.

I agree with whoever said that it was unnacceptable to give permission for my children to attend an event where a convicted paedophile would be present. Reminds me of a recent thread where someone was expressing concern about how downloading child porn was starting to be seen as less serious. (Usually lurk away agreeing with cod and thinking that expat expresses her views more strongly than I would, but not this time!)

madmarchhare · 16/02/2007 15:32

call probation (anon) and go to the wedding.

DizzyBint · 16/02/2007 15:47

i wouldn't be concerned about causing a family rift. i mean, what about future family functions? same thing will happen again. best if they aren't talking to you i'd say, then you won't be asked again. you are concerned about upsetting them, but they are not concerned about upsetting you.

paulaplumpbottom · 16/02/2007 16:27

You wouldn't expose your children to a pedophile in any other circumstance why would you in this one?

FoghornLeghorn · 16/02/2007 17:22

Sorry have been out at a play date this arvo.

Haven't been able to get hold of BIL's fiancé today but then kids are on half term so could be out and about. I am defo going to find out the likelihood of him being there and I am going to sit down with DH tonight and decide what we are going to do should he be there.

I would've thought he would be on sex offenders register too so wouldn't be allowed to attend anyway. If I find out he will be there I shall defo report him to the necessary people

OP posts:
MakemineaGandT · 16/02/2007 18:24

Goodness me. I can't believe the number of you who wouldn't go. I would go, with my children, without a doubt to support the people getting married. You will be looking after your children all day, so they shouldn't be in any danger.

Swipe left for the next trending thread