What do you think of this? (ex tv weather presenter)

I see in the Telegraph that he's written graphically in his diaries so presumably more will come to light.

If a long ago crime of any kind is solved then the perpetrator is punished accordingly, whatever their age may now be.
Paedophilia should be treated no differently.

Indeed The History Boys is slightly dodgy - but so well written!

Yes, I felt uneasy watching the play, but agree, it's one of the best.

Something I've thought about recently is 'The History Boys'. One of the best plays I've ever seen; so clever and witty. But someone on another forum hates it because of the references to 'kiddy fiddling' [apologies for that, but I think it's how it's referred to in the play] and I'm begining to come round to his way of thinking . Does anyone else feel the same?

I feel very uncomfortable about the idea of a teacher who has made indecent proposals to two children simply allowed to slip away from his post. I do realise that it is difficult for thew school as they do not want to advertise the fact that they had employed a paedophile; but the safety of other children should be the priority.

I was involved in a situation where I had to shop a teacher at a school as I realised that his behaviour was inappropriate; the school sacked him, and I expected them to report him. However I soon realised that they had not done so as he reappeared locally working in a cathedral setting where he had access to choir boys. I spoke to the cathedral (very difficult as I did not want to be sued for slander and he had not actively abused any of the boys, just behaved inappropriately - sufficiently to ring alarm bells.) Very swiftly afterwards he got on a plane to his native country and I spoke to their embassy - they said there was nothing they could do. I often wonder if I should have acted differently and worry about whether he might have gone on to abuse boys. It was at a time when this subject was not so open and I was unsure of my ground. Very difficult.

I hope so whenim64, but it may have been kept within school. In the 80's, one of our local schools sent the PE teacher home after getting him to write a letter of resignation. He'd photographed boys in the changing room and his behaviour had been reported by various parents to the head. I don't know the detail, only that the boys said he was a pervert. This information was given to me by a parent whose son complained at the time. It seems neither the parents, youngsters or school wanted to involve the police.

It's most likely that, when he left the school under a cloud all those years ago, his name would have been put on what used to be called List 99 - a warning that he should not come back to work in education. This practice evolved to be included in criminal records and disciplinary checks.

I've just realised my nephew went to Altrincham grammar.

I think this was just before his time though.

Nelliemoser, it seems he resigned from teaching biology at Altrincham Boys Grammar in 1984. He made an indecent proposal to two 14 year old pupils, who were visiting his home. It appears this was reported to the school and he was allowed to resign. At this time, he was becoming successful as a tv presenter.

It isn't illegal not to report the sexual abuse of children, although this proposal has been under discussion by government/other agencies in recent months.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys won't be the only school who quietly allowed resignations, or encouraged them, but didn't inform the police that sexual offences had been alleged. I believe it should be mandatory for those in positions of authority, working with children to report allegations of sexual abuse. Good practice should lead to strategy meetings where csa is either alleged, or there are serious concerns it's happening.

Brendawymms, I have great respect for your point of view, as you, sadly, know more of what it's like to be a survivor than most of us. However, my work has meant that I have seen the results of sexual abuse - sometimes on only one occasion, sometimes over years - on a lot of people. Some can recover to the extent that they can have a normal life and normal relationships, but still never forget what has happened. Others have their lives completely ruined, and either have mental health problems, or indeed physical health problems which cannot be easily sorted out as sometimes it is impossible to reach a diagnosis. It's as if they are punishing themselves by becoming ill.

Another point, which DH made, is that not only do paedophiles have such a profound effect on their victims, they also make it much more difficult for other people to do their jobs. It now takes courage to be a Scout leader, a youth worker or a teacher, particularly if you are a man. We all have to have disclosure checks if we want to do anything involving children. I'm not saying that these checks are necessarily a bad thing, but if you wanted to help out with, for example, a Brownie pack or a Sunday school on an occasional basis as a relief helper, it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. Our local amateur dramatic group has decided not to take anyone under 16 as, again, it's not worth the hassle. Sad.

Yes - I thought that was very odd indeed. If he had to leave the school because of an incident with a boy, how come he had not finished up in court at that time?

Iam Do you know if he resigned after the school showed concerns about his behaviour but did not report them at the time? Which happened a lot of such men and priests etc.
Move the dodgy geezer on in order to preserve the reputation of the school and avoid a scandal.
I do think hope schools etc are little less likely to do this nowadays. I think is now illegal to not report such concerns.

There have been a number of discussions on here recently about why it often takes victims a while to come forward recently. One of the men abused by FT had complained to the police a number of times, over a number of years without action being taken. He resigned from Altrincham Grammar school under a cloud, as a result of his behaviour towards boys at the school.

So far, he has taken no responsibility for his behaviour, he put the witnesses through a trial. I expect he will be sent to prison and don't feel I lack compassion when I say that's the only course of action the court can, or should take. Sex offender treatment programmes are available in prison. Changing the behaviour of opportunistic sex offenders isn't easy, especially if they don't truly believe what they have done is wrong.

Brendawymms just wanted to acknowledge your post. I understand what you are saying.

It took me a while to realise that there was a KatyK and a KateK.

I think of you KatyK, as the pantomime lady, to help me remember which of you is which!

Yes I have noticed we have a katek now. I have sometimes had replies calling me katek Perhaps it's time for a name change. Although it might come in handy if I post something that doesn't go down too well, I can deny all knowledge . Only joking katek

So you did KatyK sorry

Incidently did you know there's another GNetter called KateK that must be confusing!

There is no question in my mind that someone who commits a crime - any crime - should be brought to justice however long ago it was and however old they are. If the evidence is there to convict them, then they should face their punishment.

I know nothing about paedophilia, what its causes are or how much control these people have over their behaviour. What we all understand is the appalling and lifelong effects that their victims suffer. And how very hard it is for those victims to come forward.

I am not sure that there is a sufficient body of expertise to deal with these people for their own and all our sakes. I presume that it is under study, so that they may be dealt with properly - prevention has to be the number one priority. If there was a way of knowing who has this propensity, then steps might be taken to prevent the appalling damage that they do.

I think that soon has a point in that it is hard to imagine that any paedophile wishes to be so; and this means that compassion for them is not wholly inappropriate; but, faced with the appalling damage that they do to their victims it is hard to feel that. Most of us are insufficiently saintly.

At present we are all fumbling around and trying to pick up the pieces after the event. We are all becoming more and more aware of the widespread nature of the problem and the number of devastated lives. It is very sad indeed. There needs to be research and policies put into place that both safeguard children and young people, and also look into ways of finding what the causes of the problem might be, so that young adults showing signs of moving in this direction can be picked up and dealt with in some way. It is a minefield.

I am so tired of hearing about new cases, but glad that new victims are being encouraged to come forward to both bring the perpetrators to justice and hopefully get some support and help themselves.

Anya - That is the man I mentioned in my earlier post. 91 years old.

Even if the teacher who abused me was bought in front of the courts it would not be me getting justice.
For many years I could have been angry and wanted revenge and 'justice' but then he would have won not me.
I will never forget some of the effect on my senses, especially taste, but at the time I felt that at least someone liked and wanted me.
The whole subject is never simple and I have perhaps, not communicated clearly what I want to say but I feel compassion for ALL involved.

Just seen on our local news that a 91 year old has just been jailed for historic child abuse.

We can have compassion for the man if we choose to.

But that shouldnt get muddled up with justice for victims.

God, this story broke ages ago, I can't believe it has taken so long to get to trial and a verdict only announced today.

No I do not feel sorry for him, the 91 year old, nor any man or woman who has abused a child.

There is no sympathy for MP's, Clergy, Celebrities , grooming gangs so I don't understand why one paedophile should be considered differently to another?

The victims should have justice no matter what the age of the person who did the crime is now, in my opinion.
They are very much entitled to it.