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Calls to ban hostel paedophiles Probation Service 'let down' MP
(about 4 hours later)
Campaigners are calling for paedophiles to be banned from a bail hostel near their homes after two girls were targeted for grooming by a rapist. An MP has said he feels "let down" by the Probation Service after a rapist staying at a Wrexham bail hostel tried to groom two school girls for sex.
Residents on a Plas Madoc estate, near Wrexham, said Plas y Wern hostel was too close to a school to house sex offenders. Patrick Brendon Smith, 44, admitted two charges of attempting to facilitate sexual activity with a child while staying at the Plas Y Wern hostel.
Patrick Brendon Smith, 44, has admitted two charges of attempting to facilitate sexual activity with a child. Martyn Jones, MP for Clwyd South, said he had been given assurances dangerous offenders would not be housed three.
He had previously been jailed for raping a girl, and other offences. The Probation Service has been asked to respond.
Campaigners have repeatedly called for paedophiles to be banned from the hostel near the Plas Madoc estate, and a protest march is planned next week.
Residents on the estate claim the hostel is too close to a school to house sex offenders.
How are we going to protect our kids, if we are not given correct information? It's too late when something happens Sue Charles, campaigner
MP Mr Jones said he had been given assurances by the Probation Service that offenders deemed a risk to the public would not be housed there.
He said: "I feel very let down.
"Despite these assurances and all the reassurances that have been given to myself and local people over the years, something like this has happened and a person with a record of paedophilia has been allowed to attempt to groom these children.
"It's just not good enough. I think the authorities have been very complacent about it and it's very disappointing."
Mr Jones said he hoped those in charge of the probation service had "learnt their lesson," adding: "It's lucky that this person was picked up before any real damage was done."
He said he would be contacting Prisons Minister David Hanson to ask him to investigate the case.
Asked if was contacting the Probation Service, he said: "I'm hoping that they will be contacting me...if not I will be in touch with them."
Caernarfon Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Smith was previously given a 12-year sentence in Ireland for raping a young girl, and other offences.
Martyn Jones said he received "assurances" over imates' risk
Smith, also known as Reilly, will be sentenced later and could face an indeterminate jail term.
Joan Hopwood was one of the original protesters who waged a campaign against Plas y Wern for four years.Joan Hopwood was one of the original protesters who waged a campaign against Plas y Wern for four years.
She said Smith's court case had been the final act of a "disaster waiting to happen".She said Smith's court case had been the final act of a "disaster waiting to happen".
These people are dangerous to children and should not be there Joan Hopwood
She added: "I would like to see all paedophiles and sex offenders removed from the hostel.
"I don't mind young offenders, but it is too dangerous to house sex offenders and paedophiles so close to a school and homes.
"These people are dangerous to children and should not be there."
Wrexham councillor Paul Blackwell, whose ward neighbours Plas y Wern, said paedophiles should be housed in a more secure area.Wrexham councillor Paul Blackwell, whose ward neighbours Plas y Wern, said paedophiles should be housed in a more secure area.
He added: "My stance has always been that paedophiles should not be housed at this hostel, especially as it's so close to schools and and homes where children live. Sue Charles, one of the leaders of the campaign by Plas Madoc residents said they intended to march on the bail hostel next Monday evening.
Residents on the Plas Madoc estate have protested against the hostel in the past She added: "In the last four years we've been promised that all offenders moving into the bail hostel would be risk assessed and if they were considered dangerous they wouldn't be allowed to go there.
"I'm not saying the hostel should be closed, but paedophiles should be removed and put in a more secure area where there are no schools or homes nearby." "But it's clear that the probation service hasn't done it's job properly.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard Smith was previously given a 12-year sentence in Ireland for raping a young girl, and other offences. "How are we going to protect our kids, if we are not given correct information? It's too late when something happens.
Smith, also known as Reilly, will be sentenced later and could face an indeterminate jail term. "If something isn't done, we're going to end up with a tragedy like the Sarah Payne case."
Probation officials have expressed "sympathy" to the two schoolgirls who were targeted by him. Another campaigner, Carol Leader: "I don't know how those people in the probation service can sleep at night when things like this are happening."
In 2005, the Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones called for assurances that the bail hostel would not become a "dumping ground" for convicted paedophiles. Probation officials have expressed "sympathy" to the two schoolgirls who were targeted by Smith.