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Sex offender figure rises by 300 Sex offender management defended
(1 day later)
There are 900 sex offenders living in Northern Ireland - an increase of 300 since June - it has been revealed. The management of a high risk sex offender who disappeared in Northern Ireland last week has been defended.
The figure was revealed by William McAuley, of the Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee, on BBC Radio's Good Morning Ulster. William McAuley of the Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee was speaking about Paul Hunter Redpath, 35, who remains at large.
He defended the handling of Paul Hunter Redpath, a high risk sex offender who disappeared last week. He said the committee was currently managing 618 sex offenders in the community and 85 others in prison.
"Redpath is an example of a sex offender who doesn't comply with the requirements," he said. Mr McAuley told the BBC: "Redpath is an example of a sex offender who doesn't comply with the requirements."
"That's not the case in the vast majority of risk management plans - we have a compliance rate of more than 95% - so in fact in the vast majority of cases sex offenders are well managed. He added: "That's not the case in the vast majority of risk management plans - we have a compliance rate of more than 95% - so in fact in the vast majority of cases sex offenders are well managed.
"There are those individuals who buck the system, as there will be with any sort of offending behaviour, whenever that happens then the agencies have to consider going to the public to seek public assistance and that's what's happened in this instance.""There are those individuals who buck the system, as there will be with any sort of offending behaviour, whenever that happens then the agencies have to consider going to the public to seek public assistance and that's what's happened in this instance."
Paul Hunter Redpath absconded and remains at largePaul Hunter Redpath absconded and remains at large
Redpath, 35, failed to return to approved accommodation in Northern Ireland last week and is still reported to be at large. Redpath, 35, failed to return to approved accommodation in Northern Ireland last week.
The hunt for him was extended into the Scottish Borders area after it emerged that Redpath - originally from Scotland - has links with both Hawick and Kelso.The hunt for him was extended into the Scottish Borders area after it emerged that Redpath - originally from Scotland - has links with both Hawick and Kelso.
In June, Redpath pleaded guilty in Downpatrick Crown Court to sex offences against two young girls in March 2005.In June, Redpath pleaded guilty in Downpatrick Crown Court to sex offences against two young girls in March 2005.
The former chef 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.The former chef 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.
He was released early as he had already spent more than a year on remand.He was released early as he had already spent more than a year on remand.