Man Offering to Sketch Children for Charity Despite Past Conviction

MAN OFFERING TO SKETCH CHILDREN FOR CHARITY DESPITE PAST CONVICTION

A PENSIONER convicted of taking indecent photographs of a young girl said "parents should not worry" at his offer to sketch children for charity.

Lt-Cdr Hugh Knollys, of Little Shore Lane in Bishop's Waltham, is offering to sketch children, in the company of their parents, at £5 a time.

He says all proceeds will go to the Children's Society.

But in 1988 Lt-Cdr Knollys, an 82-year-old widower, was found guilty of taking pictures of a near-naked 11-year-old girl.

He was given a conditional discharge, after the judge at Portsmouth Crown Court said there was no evidence of the children being upset or corrupted.

He told the Daily Echo that his conviction was "a long time ago" and expressed a desire to put it behind him, stating: "There is no reason for parents to be concerned." He has placed an advertisement in a local magazine offering to sketch children to raise funds for the Children's Society, which has expressed concern due to his past, stating they would not accept any money from him and have informed local authorities.

The charity emphasizes its role in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring they can live fully, indicating they will do everything to prevent children from being put at risk.