02/10/2006

'High Risk' sex offender still at large

Police have stepped up their hunt for a convicted “high-risk” sex offender after it emerged that he may have crossed the border into the Irish Republic.

Paul Hunter Redpath, 35, left his approved accommodation in Belfast last week – failing to comply with the conditions of his probation - and police have warned that he poses a serious threat to vulnerable children and young people.

Redpath was convicted in June this year, after he pleaded guilty to carrying out sex offences against two young girls in March 2005.

He was given a three-year sentence and a three-year probation term for indecent assault and unlawful carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl.

As a result, he was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life and was disqualified from working with children.

Redpath is described as being around 6ft 2ins tall, of thin build, with blue eyes, a fair complexion and speaks with a Scottish accent.

Police have warned the public that he should not be approached, and anyone who believes that they have seen him, or who may have any information on his whereabouts, should contact them immediately.

(EF/SP)

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