Anger as hundreds of North perverts go free

Feb 5 2012 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A CHILD rapist and scores of paedophiles are among hundreds of sex offenders who have been given just a caution despite admitting their crimes, the Sunday Sun can reveal.

A special investigation has revealed 294 cautions have been handed down by the Crown Prosecution Service and North police forces over the last two years, rather than take the offenders to court to face justice.

The shocking catalogue of crimes that resulted in cautions includes:

:: The rape of a girl under the age of 13.

:: 104 offences involving children.

:: 96 sex assaults.

:: Three grooming cases.

:: Two offenders cautioned for running brothels.

Police argue that many steps are taken before cautions – an admission of guilt – are issued and some are given because witnesses aren’t willing to give evidence. Offenders still get a criminal record and a listing on the national police computer and since 2003 they have been required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.

However, victims’ and children’s campaigners and leading politicians have been outraged by our findings and demand tougher action by police chiefs to bring offenders to court.

Karen Frogatt, Victim Support locality director for the North East, said: “We know that convictions for sexual offences are lower than many other offences.

“We would like this to be addressed so victims of sexual assault can be reassured that justice is achieved.

“For some, it will be enough that the crime has been recognised, the perpetrator has been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register and they do not have to endure the horrendous trauma of a drawn-out court case. However, there may well have been some cases that could have been successful at trial.

“Either way, it is vital that there is transparency at each stage of the criminal justice system so that victims know exactly why an offender is cautioned or sentenced.”

Of the North forces handing out cautions over the past two years, Northumbria issued the most with 106, Durham gave 62 – only one less than the total number it dished out over five years from 2002-07 – Cleveland handed down 55 , Cumbria 35 and North Yorks 36.

Cleveland Police issued the caution for rape on a female under 13, and it also counted the most offences committed against under 16-year-old children – 28 in all. Those included four sex assaults on pre-teenage boys and 11 counts of voyeurism or exposure.

A spokeswoman said: “Cleveland Police investigate all reports of sexual assault in a thorough and professional manner. While it would be unusual for someone to receive a caution for sexual assault on a female under 13 years old, that decision would be based on the age of the offender, their previous offending history and the details of the particular offence.”

In Northumbria, two people were cautioned for keeping or managing a brothel used for prostitution.

One offender was cautioned for meeting a girl under the age of 16 following sexual grooming, and 10 were cautioned for sexual assaults on girls younger than 13.

North Yorkshire Police’s figures revealed eight cases in which people were given cautions, juvenile reprimands or final warnings for sexual activity with children under 16. One offender accepted a caution for abuse of children through prostitution and pornography.

Cumbria’s 35 cautions included an offence of exploitation of prostitution, one of sexual grooming and 14 sex assaults on girls aged 13 and over.

Both Cumbria and Durham Constabularies said witnesses weren’t always willing to give evidence, even though the forces have enough to prosecute.

A spokesman for Durham said: “A caution can be issued to an offender where sufficient evidence is available to prosecute that person for an offence.

“Cautions may be issued for a variety of offences, including sexual offences, and advice would be sought from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). On some occasions the victim may not be willing to attend court or provide evidence.

“In those cases it would be necessary to determine whether it is appropriate to compel the victim to give evidence or close the investigation without any further action.

“In some cases, therefore, it may be appropriate to issue a caution. A caution is recorded against an individual on the Police National Computer and can be disclosed at court.”