Church leaders have moved to reassure parents after a Leamington sex offender tried to contact youngsters from a Lillington youth group. Raymond Augustine Keegan, 70, of Gresham Place, could be jailed for up to six months when he appears before magistrates on July 26. Send us your views on this story by clicking here At a recent hearing, he pleaded guilty to two breaches of a sexual offences prevention order made in 2005.
The court heard that between October last year and this May, he asked staff at St Mary Magdalene Church in Lillington if there were any children in a weekly youth group who would like guitar lessons, and that he attended a family-specific service. Keegan, who was reported after speaking to caretaker Christine Nutt and administrator Anne Furze, is banned from doing anything likely to bring himself into contact with under-16s. The restrictions placed upon him relate to section 104 of the Sexual Offences Act.
They are set in place when a court is satisfied a defendant's behaviour "makes it necessary for the purpose of protecting the public or any particular members of the public from serious sexual harm". Diocesan spokesman Rev Mervyn Roberts moved to reassure parents their children were never in danger - and praised members of the church for their swift actions. He said: "I think the main thing is that this was reported to the police and I am pleased to say church staff acted wisely, promptly and sensibly.
"There are very strict guidelines within the diocese regarding the protection of our children, and indeed, we have our own child protection officer who is briefed of any actions causing suspicion. "Those guidelines do appear to have allowed prompt action in this case." Keegan is currently on conditional bail.
His case will be heard at Stratford Magistrates Court on July 26. Warwickshire Police were unable to comment or provide a picture. After taking legal advice, neither the Crown Prosecution Service or magistrates listings manager, Helen Osborne, were able to provide details of Keegan's previous offences, which would have been made public immediately prior to the adjournment.
Church leaders have moved to reassure parents after a Leamington sex offender tried to contact youngsters from a Lillington youth group.
