Appeal over repeat sex offenders

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A children's charity has called for changes in the way sex offenders are managed after a convicted rapist abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl.

Alan Grant, 49, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was jailed for life on Friday after abducting and raping the girl in Wrexham last October.

Mold Crown Court heard he was jailed in 1991 for raping a woman in West Sussex.

NSPCC Cymru/Wales said it was "concerned" about sex offenders who have gone on to re-offend.

Offenders may not always be assessed at the right level of risk Simon Jones, NSPCC

Following the case, NSPCC Cymru/Wales called for a review of the way convicted sex offenders are managed.

Simon Jones, policy advisor with the charity, said: "This is a horrific and traumatic incident and our thoughts are with the young girl and her family.

"The NSPCC is calling for an overhaul of the sex offenders management system.

"The NSPCC is concerned about high-profile cases of sex offenders who been inadequately supervised and have gone on to re-offend.

15-hour ordeal

"The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) system was introduced in 2001.

"Whilst we believe this is the workable structure under which sex offenders should be managed, the current system of monitoring and sharing information about sex offenders needs to be strengthened."

Mr Jones added: "The NSPCC is concerned that offenders may not always be assessed at the right level of risk, or assigned to the appropriate Mappa level to be managed safely.

"We recommend introducing a system of accreditation for those undertaking risk assessments of sex offenders to ensure that high standards are followed and that the results of assessments are accurate."

The girl was abducted in Wrexham and driven across north WalesGrant, also known as Alan Weston, snatched the teenager in the Highfield area of Wrexham on Friday, 20 October.

He forced the girl into his van in Wrexham and subjected her to a 15-hour ordeal.

She was threatened with a machete, tied up and driven to a secluded spot. After raping the teenager, Grant drove for another hour before attempting to rape her again.

She was eventually freed 70 miles (113km) away in Bangor.

Grant pleaded guilty to kidnap and rape at Mold Crown Court, with a recommendation by the judge that he should serve at least seven years.

Greater Manchester probation service said Grant had finished a supervision order after his first conviction for rape about six weeks before he abducted and raped the 15-year-old.

He was jailed for 12 years in 1991 after raping a woman, having beaten her husband and locked him in a cupboard at their home in West Sussex.

Grant broke into the couple's cottage wearing a mask and armed with a pump-action shotgun, then tied up the man before raping his 26-year-old wife.

Sentencing Grant for the latest rape, Judge Stephen Clarke told him: "Your behaviour certainly manifests quite clearly a perverted, what might be called psychopathic, tendency.

"If you are at large you are likely to remain a danger to women for an indefinite period of time."