BRIAN TOOHEY RELEASED EARLY FROM PRISON IN ALL AREAS AND CATFORD

In a development that has shocked many within the community, convicted sex offender Brian Toohey is set to be released from prison after serving only two years of his sentence, despite the heinous nature of his crimes involving young schoolgirls. The news was conveyed to the parents of his victims earlier this week, leaving them devastated and outraged by what they perceive as a miscarriage of justice.

Toohey, known locally as a rag and bone man, was sentenced in January 1997 to six years in prison after being convicted on two counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. His crimes involved luring young girls into sexual acts by offering them sweets and cigarettes, a tactic that exploited their innocence and trust. Throughout his trial, Toohey vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that he had woken up in his bed to find the children 'interfering with him,' a defense that failed to sway the court.

Despite the severity of his convictions, the authorities have now approved his early release. Parents of the victims were informed by the Inner London Probation Service that Toohey would be released 'in the next week or two,' a decision that has sparked widespread anger and concern. Many parents are questioning why justice appears to have been shortchanged, especially given the lasting trauma inflicted upon their children.

One mother, visibly upset, expressed her fears that Toohey would pose a continued threat to her daughter. She stated, 'I don’t think he should be allowed anywhere in the London area whatsoever. It’s disgusting he is to be released so soon. He’ll have done two years in prison and another on remand, which is nothing when you consider he’s given these girls a life sentence.' Her words reflect the deep sense of betrayal felt by many parents who believe that the punishment does not match the gravity of the crimes committed.

Another mother, equally distressed, plans to contact her Member of Parliament to protest Toohey’s early release. She emphasized, 'My daughter was 11 years old when he was abusing her. He is an evil pervert — he should’ve served his time and he should be miles away.' The community’s concern is compounded by the details of the conditions under which Toohey will be released. A leaked letter from the probation service outlined that he would be housed in a hostel with a curfew and required to attend a program aimed at addressing his offending behavior.

The letter also confirmed that his parole would be valid until January of the following year, after which he would be on a supervision license until June 2001. Importantly, a condition has been placed on his license explicitly forbidding him from contacting any of his victims, including the young girls he abused. The probation service spokesperson explained that Toohey has served approximately three years, considering time spent on remand, and is now eligible for parole. They also noted that victims’ families had been consulted and their opinions taken into account during the parole assessment process.

Furthermore, the spokesperson clarified that Toohey will be required to register his address with local police under the Sex Offender Act and attend community programs designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. However, the specific location of his residence and the date when he will be assigned to a probation hostel remain undisclosed at this time. The community’s response continues to be one of concern and outrage, as many believe that the early release undermines the severity of the crimes and the safety of potential future victims.