December 2003

A CONVICTED paedophile, who has been driven out of two communities, now lives near a school in Warrington

Sydney Williams, aged 63, appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, on Monday, after police applied for a sex offender order to monitor his behaviour.

An interim order, detailing precisely what restrictions are imposed on Williams, came into force this week, after magistrates adjourned his hearing until January 19, when the order will be officially unveiled.

In 1997, Williams was convicted of two offences of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14. He was handed a 12-month prison sentence at Plymouth Crown Court.

Prosecuting solicitor, Nicholas Williams, said that, on May 30 this year, Williams had unsupervised contact with two girls. The court heard that the defendant was left alone with a child while the youngster’s mother went to a nearby shop.

A soft toy and a video of Disney classic A Bug’s Life was discovered in Williams’ house that was suggested could be used to attract children to his flat or occupy them once they were inside. But defence counsel, John Banasko, called them ‘innocent items’.

Although Williams is not facing a specific charge he is viewed as a ‘serious risk to the public’ and this order is deemed necessary to ‘prevent the public from serious harm’.

Police believe it is ‘a matter of urgency’ that an order is imposed. Williams must inform police of his whereabouts if he changes address.

Magistrates barred Williams’ address from being published following fears from police that publicity could lead to the defendant leaving his current address, in Warrington, and even result in public disorder.

POLICE have obtained an interim order to impose restrictions on what Sydney Williams is allowed to do.

Under the order, Sydney Williams cannot:

o Approach or engage in conversation anyone under the age of 16 unless accompanied by an adult.

o Allow a child to enter his home whether accompanied by an adult or not.

o Loiter outside schools or playgrounds, or enter the grounds of schools or playgrounds.

o Expose himself in public.

o Engage in paid or unpaid work involving contact with any child under the age of 16.