Judge ‘bottled it’ says Towersey resident
Dear Editor, In response to the comments regarding convicted paedophile Nick Graves, I would like to ask the unnamed ?supporter? of Mr Graves if they would be so forgiving and neglectful of the impact that this man has had on young children, if this was their own child or grandchild?
What this ?supporter? should also recognise is that a man in his mid 50?s does not just turn into a paedophile overnight. It is something that develops over many years and that there may well be a number of other children (who may be adults now) that have had incidences with Nick Graves in the past that have been too embarrassed or afraid to come forward.
As a resident of Towersey all of my life, I am well aware of the close knit community Towersey has. However, it should not be exempt from trying to brush these situations under the carpet, hoping that they will go away and not damage people?s views on a wonderful village.
Nick Graves, and Nick Graves alone is responsible for what has happened, so to try and blame so called ?mischievous complaints by children? is utter nonsense. As far as I am concerned he has given Towersey a bad name, and, through admitting his guilt, has destroyed a child?s life.
Judge Hall bottled it by not sending him to prison. This would have been the perfect message to let people know that child abuse, in any form, is unacceptable and should be treated with the highest possible sentence.
Those that stand by Nick Graves, even after his admission of guilt, should take a long hard look at themselves and wonder if letting a convicted paedophile out on the streets, rather than serving a custodial sentence, is fair. I challenge any so-called friend of Nick Graves to be so forgiving if he was to (heaven forbid) sexually abuse a member of their family, and then be free to walk the streets after.
People like Nick Graves should not be forgiven or forgotten. People have a right to know if someone in their community is a child abuser, in order for them to protect their family. I am not asking for people to start vigilante attacks against these people. However, if these paedophiles are allowed to live anonymously in society, then what hope have we got of solving the issue of child abuse in the UK?
I recommend that the unnamed ?supporter?, and the others who agree with their comments, understand that Mr Graves is a convicted paedophile, who should be serving time in prison, but is free to roam the streets and is in a position to reoffend again. Maybe until they, or someone close to them, become the victim of a child abuser, they will never fully understand the impact this has on people.
Jamie Hazeldine,
Resident of Towersey and Neighbour of Nick Graves
29/07/09
