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| Fury over paedophile at child gym | Fury over paedophile at child gym |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A convicted paedophile is using a gym at a leisure centre which is also used by schoolchildren it has emerged. | |
| Concerned parent Anthony Callaghan alerted the authorities about the man, using the gym near Whitecross School in Lydney, Gloucestershire. | |
| The man was convicted of sex abuse on three girls aged 12 and 13 in 1999. | The man was convicted of sex abuse on three girls aged 12 and 13 in 1999. |
| But solicitors acting for the school and local council said a ban would not be practicable as it might infringe the man's human rights. | |
| I strongly condemn those who show weaknesses in not protecting the most vulnerable in our society Dan Norris MP | I strongly condemn those who show weaknesses in not protecting the most vulnerable in our society Dan Norris MP |
| As a result, the child abuser has been allowed to go on using the leisure centre's facilities, which are shared by pupils and the public. | As a result, the child abuser has been allowed to go on using the leisure centre's facilities, which are shared by pupils and the public. |
| Child protection campaigners have described the decision not to bar him as "insane", and an MP has accused the authorities of putting his rights above those of the children. | Child protection campaigners have described the decision not to bar him as "insane", and an MP has accused the authorities of putting his rights above those of the children. |
| "It's totally unbelievable that this man is allowed to carry on visiting the school and using the gym," Mr Callaghan said. | "It's totally unbelievable that this man is allowed to carry on visiting the school and using the gym," Mr Callaghan said. |
| The child protection charity, Kidscape, described the decision not to ban the man as "crazy". | The child protection charity, Kidscape, described the decision not to ban the man as "crazy". |
| Dr Michelle Elliott, Kidscape director, said: "It's an extraordinary story. When a convicted child sex offender's rights are upheld over the children's safety, then the cuckoos are running the nest. It's just crazy, This is insane." | Dr Michelle Elliott, Kidscape director, said: "It's an extraordinary story. When a convicted child sex offender's rights are upheld over the children's safety, then the cuckoos are running the nest. It's just crazy, This is insane." |
| Police 'aware' | Police 'aware' |
| Labour MP Dan Norris, a former child protection officer, also criticised Forest of Dean District Council, which runs the gym, for not acting more decisively and instituting a ban. | Labour MP Dan Norris, a former child protection officer, also criticised Forest of Dean District Council, which runs the gym, for not acting more decisively and instituting a ban. |
| "I strongly condemn those who show weaknesses in not protecting the most vulnerable in our society from individuals who are known to have seriously harmed children in the past," he said. | "I strongly condemn those who show weaknesses in not protecting the most vulnerable in our society from individuals who are known to have seriously harmed children in the past," he said. |
| Gloucestershire Police said they were "aware" of the individual, but said they had received no complaints. | Gloucestershire Police said they were "aware" of the individual, but said they had received no complaints. |
| A spokesman for the Forest of Dean District Council said it would comment on the issue on Monday. | A spokesman for the Forest of Dean District Council said it would comment on the issue on Monday. |