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29/07/2009
Tagging Mooted As Sex Offender Caught
A convicted sex offender who was detained in the Republic yesterday - after he went missing while on probation in Northern Ireland - has been returned north and into custody.
However, South Belfast MLA Anna Lo (pictured) has now called for the NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins to review the case and the management of high risk sex offenders in Northern Ireland.
"I'm calling for a review of this case quickly to see whether such offenders should be monitored under electronic tagging," she said.
A public appeal was made on Tuesday after Paul Hunter Redpath, 37, disappeared from approved accommodation in south Belfast.
However, the Scotsman was detained by Gardaí in the Wicklow area later on that day.
He has now been returned to Northern Ireland and arrested by the PSNI in Belfast.
Redpath, who is considered a serious risk to vulnerable children, was sought after leaving his monitored accommodation without permission and disappearing for the second such occasion.
Police said that he was at the centre of a similar operation in 2006 after breaching the conditions of his probation.
Redpath, who is known to drink heavily, had been convicted of offences against two girls in 2005 and jailed for three years.
The former chef was given the sentence and a three-year probation term for indecent assault and unlawful carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl.
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said the case raised serious concerns about the housing of sex offenders.
"While I would wholeheartedly welcome the fact that this man has been apprehended, this case poses serious questions about the PSNI's ability to manage the large number of sex offenders who are being housed in the south Belfast area," he said.
Police had initially warned the public that he was potentially dangerous and that they should not attempt to approach Redpath. They said they should contact their local police immediately if they believed they have information as to his whereabouts.
See: Child Sex Offender Found
(BMcC/JM)
However, South Belfast MLA Anna Lo (pictured) has now called for the NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins to review the case and the management of high risk sex offenders in Northern Ireland.
"I'm calling for a review of this case quickly to see whether such offenders should be monitored under electronic tagging," she said.
A public appeal was made on Tuesday after Paul Hunter Redpath, 37, disappeared from approved accommodation in south Belfast.
However, the Scotsman was detained by Gardaí in the Wicklow area later on that day.
He has now been returned to Northern Ireland and arrested by the PSNI in Belfast.
Redpath, who is considered a serious risk to vulnerable children, was sought after leaving his monitored accommodation without permission and disappearing for the second such occasion.
Police said that he was at the centre of a similar operation in 2006 after breaching the conditions of his probation.
Redpath, who is known to drink heavily, had been convicted of offences against two girls in 2005 and jailed for three years.
The former chef was given the sentence and a three-year probation term for indecent assault and unlawful carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl.
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said the case raised serious concerns about the housing of sex offenders.
"While I would wholeheartedly welcome the fact that this man has been apprehended, this case poses serious questions about the PSNI's ability to manage the large number of sex offenders who are being housed in the south Belfast area," he said.
Police had initially warned the public that he was potentially dangerous and that they should not attempt to approach Redpath. They said they should contact their local police immediately if they believed they have information as to his whereabouts.
See: Child Sex Offender Found
(BMcC/JM)
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Changes In Early Release Opposed By Rights' Group
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