Oct 2008

‘We don’t want him living here’

A CONVICTED paedophile has been allowed to move into Vale of Glamorgan Council-run sheltered housing, next to a Penarth school.

Residents living at Redlands House are furious that 64 year old Kenneth Goddard has set up home in one of the 32 flats – yards from St Cyres Comprehensive.

Goddard, who was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court in February, was jailed for 16 months after indecently touching a teenager.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for indecent exposure.

Although registered as a sex offender, and disqualified for life from working with children, residents living at Redlands House say they are worried and angry that he has been allowed to move near the school.

“The man obviously has to live somewhere,” said one neighbour, who did not wish to be named.

“But why have the Vale Council moved him next to a school?

“I can see St Cyres pupils from my window, and so can he.

“My grandchildren used to come and visit me and they’d often play outside.

“But I won’t have them here now.

“We weren’t told about this and we don’t want him living here,” she added.

“We found out when someone remembered him being in the newspaper.”

It is thought a petition will now be started to have Goddard moved away from the school.

Tony Jaques, Head of Housing for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “The council is not prepared to comment on individual cases.

“The council has a responsibility and commitment to protect its residents and as such is an active participant in a multi-agency partnership which manages the re-housing and re-integration into the community of potentially dangerous ex-offenders.

“All ex-offenders re-housed through the Partnership are subject to intensive assessment by all the statutory agencies involved, the type and location of the most suitable re-housing options is agreed by all agencies and a management regime put into place.

“The whole emphasis of the multi agency approach is to minimise any potential risk to the public,” added Mr Jaques.

“Housing is a key element in the successful management of an ex-offender, as without this controlled environment the offender could move from place to place and a crucial part of the management regime would be lost.”

When contacted by the Penarth Times, St Cyres head teacher Brian Lightman said he would be unable to comment without further information.