General Chat

If doctors say that the perpetrator thinks they are doing no wrong, and they cannot be cured or changed...then.. LOCK EM UP and THROW AWAY the KEY!!! Just my oppinion!! Anne :)

As someone who lives only a ten minute walk away from the house where Sweeney lived, I am all for a law similar to Megan's law being introduced here. The house is within 5 minutes of a local primary school, in a highly populated residential area. No-one knew the house was being used for so called ex -offenders. Residents only discovered when the case hit the papers after they found the poor child. You can imagine how angry & scared everyone felt, especially as he wasn't the only sex offender housed there! I don't know what the answer is, I don't think tagging will stop them, as someone said earlier, if someone has these tendencies, locking them up for a few years isn't going to stopm them. Life should mean life- ot maybe castration!

I have read what you all have said and agree with it all but abuse was around years ago when our parents where small and our granparents it is a cycle that until the person is helped will never stop as most abusers are family members and it was not a thing people so openly talked about in that era and it was pushed under the carpet so to speak as I have been in this position with my sister's husband who she is still with, but until the cycle is stopped it never will so we have to makes sure these people do not go under ground and the police and courts know where they are at all times

From what I hear, paedophilia is an incurable sexual preference on a par with homosexuality. It is inbuilt into the individual's psyche. Some men prefer older women, some mature, some younger, some too young. But, as paedophilia is, quite rightly, against the law nothing seems to be done for those who know what their leanings are, but resist the temptation as long as they can. Has anyone ever heard of a place where someone can present themselves and ask for help in fighting it? No, they are more likely to be viewed with suspicion and abhorrence. So I agree with those who feel it is more a question of a mental than a criminal problem.

Having read all the replies you have received so far..I agree with what everyone has pointed out. I think I am on the same lines as Old Crone.. These people are unfortunetely uncurable (even though I suspect most of them wish they were).. There is however the ones who do not wish to be cured.. Like the one (Craig Sweeney) who just received ' a slap on wrist ' basically! He not only seems to be a peodophile, but a sexual preditor and a danger to the society. I don't think Castration would work as there minds are sick! As the mother of a 14 & 10 year old, I have feared peodophiles more than them having an accident of any kind... Always keeping an eye on them at all times (and also making them aware at an early age, there is bad people, out there!) In bygone years, I assume there were preditors around also: Why was there less offending then? all these children, even from my mums era had the freedom to 'run the streets' without any harm coming their way. But our children do not get that luxury! I have mixed issues on if they listed peodophiles.. for vigilany reasons: only for the wrongly accused.. or a mix up in identity.. could lead to inoccent people being targeted! If they are a peodophile/preditor..Electricute them (they're not curable..if they've already offended-it's once too often.. and they will offend again-or at least think about it!) Sui

I'm all for a British Megan's Law. However, the exact door number should only be held by the government to stop reprisals. But as a parent, Id want to know if any of these people are living near to me or my children's schools. However it is a worry that someone who looks like a paedophile on the register gets mistaken for that person. On the Megan's Law website they also post distinguishing marks to identify the person, so if someone is wrongly accused, this will help to prove he/she is not the paedophile. Put MEGANS LAW into Google to view the site Its very interesting Elaine x ps If it saves just one child, it will be worth it.

That disgusting isn't it Gillie. Heather x

Only tagged if out on Licence Dave, not that it would stop them if they really wanted to re offend. Tagging equipment should have instant guilotine, attached to top of leg lol Heather x

Good idea that Heather are they not tagged? Davex

I may get shot down for this, but, I think paedophiles should have tracking devices so the authorities know exactly where they are. Too many innocent young lives are taken because of them and many more suffer all their lives. I remember when Megans Law came out in the US and thought then, thats what should happen here. Too much 'tippytoeing' in this country. Heather x

Good thread this Catherine very topical ,and differing views! Davex

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. A while ago the News of the World 'named and shamed' some paedophiles and published the photograph of an innocent man. A paediatrician had his house attacked by people too stupid to know the difference. between the two categories. Paedophiles (and others convicted of sexual offences) are more likely to re-offend than any other category of prisoner so something has to be done. I've wondered if it would be possible to classify paedophilia as a mental illness rather than a criminal offence. Those convicted of crimes have to have a limit to the sentences they serve, as life never means life in our judicial system. If these people can be said to be suffering from a mental illness they can be sectioned under the mental health act and detained until they are no longer a danger to the public. Which in my view would be for life. Having said that is it wrong to be too afraid of random strangers grabbing children from the street. Statistics show that most abused children were abused by people they knew and trusted - family members, friends of the family, teachers, youth workers and the clergy. Gwynne

If, god forbid, the father of my children turned out to be a paedophile, I would rapidly change my name and that of my children and hightail it out of his life. And self control never works very well in the field of human sexuality. Olde Crone

We would not need Megan's law if we kept them in prison and a life sentence meant life. Ann

Yes sure it is Catherine! but I think they are sick but that is no excuse I know! Dave

Is it not more in the mind though Dave than in the pants? catherine xx

Yes agree with David Owen, My brother in law was an hospital officer at Risley Remand Centre. A convicted paedophile came to him a month before he was due to be released! and said Id like to be castrated, My BIL said the law of this country doesnt allow that! The paedophile said but I cant help myself I need some help. Dave

David Megan's Law applies only to convicted paedophiles who have served a jail sentence. Of course, for every paedophile who is caught and sent to jail, there are a hundred roaming free... Olde Crone

If I knew of one living near me, I would not take any action against him except to explain to him very carefully what I could do with a pair of secateurs should he not behave.. Len

Yeah I agree David, proper sentencing is the correct route, but as this sweeney character proves, sentencing is not working. Mabe his case is a one off, but then are you not gonna get other pedo's quoting his case and his jail term? catherine xx