29/06/2010

Dangerous Sex Offender On Loose

A dangerous sexual predator has been sighted in different parts of Northern Ireland, police have said.

Officers in Lancashire are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a high-risk sex offender who is wanted for recall to prison. William John Paden, 56, (pictured) is a Registered Sex Offender and is wanted after he left an address in Blackpool.

Police believe he may be in Northern Ireland and that he poses a significant risk of re-offending.

Paden has 19 sexual convictions dating back to 1974, including indecent exposure, assault with intent to rape, indecent assault on a female child, using a 'telecommunications device to send abusive/indecent messages', rape, incite a child to engage in sexual activity and recently breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

He is banned from associating with children unless they are unaccompanied by an adult over 21.

Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley, head of Lancashire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit, said: "William Paden is a Registered Sex Offender with a long history of convictions against children going back more than 30 years.

"I believe he poses a significant risk of harm and I would appeal to anyone who knows where he may be to get in touch with us.

"Sex offenders are managed in the community by police and partners which aims to prevent them committing further offences, but if they do not comply with the obligations of their licence or Sex Offender Prevention Order, then we will take robust and positive action to locate them, as we will in this case."

The officers said today that the Northern Ireland sightings were corroborated by other information.

"We believe he has been in the Belfast area but travelled throughout Northern Ireland.

"We've also had suggestions he may well have travelled down into southern Ireland."

"We are very keen on putting him back in custody at the earliest opportunity," concluded the Detective Superintendent, who urged anyone with information about Paden to contact Lancashire Police on 08451 25 35 45 or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(BMcC/GK)

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