August 2006

Paedophile ordered to stay home

A CONVICTED paedophile and flasher has been ordered to stay each night at home after buying a tent and going on holiday to Butlins in Skegness without permission.

James Clayton, aged 66, of Mansfield Court, Greens Norton, can only go on holiday or stay away overnight with the express permission of his probation officer who is monitoring his progress under a three-year sex offenders’ rehabilitation order.

The former coach driver, who has a fetish for women’s underwear, escaped being sent to prison in November last year when a judge sentenced him to the community order, saying it would have more long-term benefits than prison.

A jury unanimously convicted Clayton of four offences of gross indecency and sexual activity against a young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between April 2003 and October 2004 when he lived in Old, near Brixworth.

Clayton appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday and was banned from going on holiday or going to Old without prior permission. It follows his unscheduled trip to a motorbike rally in Skegness.

Judge Charles Wide QC said: “It is a matter of concern he bought this tent and went to a motorcycle rally, staying at Butlins. In the context of this case, a residence restriction is in the interests of justice to ensure sufficient control over his movements and where he lives.”

Clayton must now keep in contact with his probation officer, stay each night at home and continue treatment until November 2008.

On the sex offenders register for four more years, he is also subject to a sex offences prevention order banning him from Old, working as a coach driver or any contact with his victim or her family.

The court heard that posters have been put up in both Old and Greens Norton villages warning residents of his presence. South Northamptonshire Council received a petition in December urging the pervert be rehoused.

Sarah Briden, prosecuting, had asked the judge to ban Clayton from Old for his own protection in view of the warning posters.

Clayton told Judge Wide the residence restriction would now stop him visiting his ill brother.

December 2005

Paedophile is being watched

A COUNCILLOR has tried to reassure parents a convicted paedophile living in their village will be kept under a watchful eye.

Convicted child abuser James Clayton, aged 66, has been living in a council house in Mansfield Court, Greens Norton, for about three months since being found guilty of repeated sexual offences against a young child.

Concerned parents last week presented a petition to South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) demanding Clayton be evicted from the property amid fears for their children’s safety but Conservative ward councillor for Greens Norton, Tony Wilkinson, has attempted to calm fears.

Councillor Wilkinson said: “I have spoken to Mr Clayton’s probation officer and I can assure all residents of Greens Norton that Mr Clayton is under supervision every week.

“The probation staff are fully aware of residents’ concerns and will be working with other agencies to resolve the problem.”

He added: “I think it is fair to say that I would like to see the views expressed in the petition followed through. I hope it has an impact on the decision of councillors.”

Councillor Wilkinson also defended the council’s decision to grant Clayton’s tenancy in September and said it was unaware of any impending court case so allowed him to take up residence.

However, Greens Norton residents say it is “not good enough”.

Annette Rock, who has a young daughter and lives in the village, said: “He is in contact with probation one day of the week but what about the rest of the time? He is free to roam around the village as he pleases and our children could be at risk because of it.”

Clayton was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order in November meaning he had to have regular visits from probation officers and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

The jury was told that Clayton would wear his wife’s underwear before forcing his victim to perform sex acts.

A petition from parents living in Greens Norton was received at a full council meeting last Tuesday and will be discussed by its cabinet nextmonth.