Probe launched as sex offender who ‘upskirted’ girls sent to unpaid work near nursery

PROBE LAUNCHED AS SEX OFFENDER WHO ‘UPSKIRTED’ GIRLS SENT TO UNPAID WORK NEAR NURSERY

AN investigation has been launched after a convicted sex offender who “upskirted” schoolgirls was sent to unpaid work near a nursery as part of his punishment.

Lawrence Lawson-Brett, 22, of Church Street, Cullingworth, was given a high-level community order lasting 36 months at Bradford Crown Court on April 30 for several offences.

He was caught on CCTV at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College in Bradford, which he joined as part of an apprenticeship programme to become an IT technician, “upskirting” schoolgirls without their knowledge as they walked in front of him on deserted stairwells.

When Lawson-Brett was arrested in relation to this, various electronic items were seized and analysed, including a mobile phone.

It was found to contain 1,110 indecent photos and videos of children aged between six and 16 – 476 of which were in Category A, the most serious.

Part of Lawson-Brett’s community order was to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The 22-year-old was spotted undertaking some of this work at The Life Centre, in Bierley House Avenue, last Tuesday.

The community centre is right next to The Life Nursery and a member of the group also on the unpaid work programme raised concerns with the supervisor after recognising Lawson-Brett.

He said there were young children playing in the nursery grounds that could be seen from where they were undertaking their community service.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, added that the supervisor was “brilliant” and had Lawson-Brett removed as soon as possible “for his own safety and questioned why he was sent to that site in the first place knowing there was a nursery”.

The Probation Service confirmed Lawson-Brett was removed within 45 minutes of arriving on site after the “mistake was identified”.

A spokesperson for the Probation Service said: "Protecting the public is our top priority and this individual was immediately removed once this mistake was identified, within 45 minutes of arriving on site.

A comprehensive investigation has been commissioned into this case, and work is being undertaken to ensure this doesn't happen again." The Probation Service says it takes community safety “extremely seriously”, particularly regarding placements for unpaid work, and has strict policies designed to keep the public safe.

Unpaid work allocations of people on probation must take account of three aspects in an assessment, one of which is the proximity of children or vulnerable adults and potential opportunities for further offending.

The Unpaid Work unit in Yorkshire and the Humber said it “prides itself on delivering work that benefits the community, and we regret that this incident occurred and the consequences it has had on the community”.