Sexual offences order for twenty-year-old

A 20-YEAR-OLD paedophile who abused a young boy has been banned from having contact with children after trying to get jobs at two funfairs.

Lee Bamford, from South Croydon, has been given a sexual offences prevention order – despite claims it was a breach of his human rights.

The sex pest, who was abused as a child at funfairs, was caught trying to gain employment at a fair in Crystal Palace in April and another in Purley in May.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that Bamford, of Normanton Road, had abused a six-year-old boy and still posed a “serious risk” to young children.

Gareth Munday, prosecuting, said the defendant had grown up in a difficult family background and was sexually abused eight years ago. He was taken into care and housed with other young victims, but was eventually removed.

Mr Munday said: “It appears the problem which had arisen in his early years continued. It was no longer appropriate for him to be in group care.”

Bamford was then placed with foster parents but came into contact with a boy who he abused.

But the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take the case to a full trial because of the young ages of Bamford and his victim.

Croydon Council secured funding to give the youngster 24-hour care in Liverpool where he remained for four years before returning to Croydon.

He then received support from a care worker who raised concerns about his “inability to cope with his urges”.

Mr Munday said: “Through his behaviour and determination to attend funfairs, where he was abused when he was young, it will be a spring board to him starting offending again.

“He’s unable, unless forced to do so, to address his problems.”

Rad Kohanzad, defending, said he did not contest the application but there were concerns about how long the sexual offences prevention order should be made for.

The prosecution argued that it should be indefinite whereas Mr Kohanzad said it should be for five years – the minimum time for such an order.

“It’s right to say that this order is an infringement on his human rights,” he said. “It’s still a reduction on his rights and his freedom.

“He is only 20 now. Five years is a substantial period of time. It’s a quarter of his life so far.”

But magistrates said the order would last until a further one was made because he had showed reluctance to engage with professionals and seek help for his problem.

Under the terms of the order, he is banned from having contact or communicating with children under 16. He is also prohibited from attending funfairs and seeking or undertaking any employment which brings him into contact with youngsters.

Bamford is able to apply to have the order lifted after five years.