SEX ABUSER QUITS BID FOR SCHOOL GOVERNOR
A MAN who committed a sex crime against a 12-year-old girl has quit his bid to become a school governor amid fears the school's reputation could be tainted by his involvement.Acquaintances of George Cribbett - including the Mayor of Bournemouth - have spoken of his community work and "tireless campaigning" for special-needs children.
Mr Cribbett, a father-of-two from Strouden, made it on to a shortlist of five after applying to become a governor at Summerbee School.
Despite being jailed for nine months in 1993 for indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl, the 57-year-old's application did not breach any of Summerbee's 10 clauses that disqualify people from becoming governors, and parents were not formally told.
Mr Cribbett said: "I'm aware of the stigma and I don't want anyone or any school to be smeared with me.
Staff, governors and the LEA were aware of my conviction long before this application." "I totally support the Echo's stance on child protection but it was wrong of the school to say nobody knew.
"I made a mistake eight years ago and I've never hidden it.
My boys suffer from autism, I've fought for more funding and facilities for children with special needs and other children have benefited from that." He said his wife was very distressed by the publicity and feared for the safety of her sons.
Jo Davidson of Bournemouth LEA said: "In accordance with normal regulations, the relevant people within the school and the education authority were aware of Mr Cribbett's background.
However, that did not preclude him from applying to be a governor." Bournemouth's mayor Doug Eyre said Mr Cribbett's record of campaigning for better facilities for pupils with autism and other educational needs should not be forgotten in the current furore.
