MARK GASCOIGNE FROM BRIGHAM TRIES TO WORK WITH CHILDREN DESPITE 2003 INDECENT ASSAULT CAUTION
In May 2017, a concerning incident unfolded involving Mark Gascoigne, a man residing in Brigham, who attempted to secure employment involving the transportation of young people despite having a prior caution related to indecent assault.The case was brought before Carlisle Crown Court, where Gascoigne, aged 60, faced charges for attempting to engage in a regulated activity from which he was legally barred under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act.
It was revealed during the proceedings that Gascoigne had received a caution in 2003 for indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16.
This caution resulted in his placement on the safeguarding barring list indefinitely, effectively prohibiting him from working with children or in roles that involve vulnerable adults.
Despite this, in November of the previous year, Gascoigne submitted an application to Cumbria County Council for a position as a driver within their adult and child workforce.
The role involved transporting young people, which would have been a regulated activity.
However, court records indicated that his application was doomed to fail from the outset, given his barred status and the legal restrictions in place.
The court heard that Gascoigne’s attempt to secure this position was a clear violation of the law, as he sought to engage in an activity from which he was explicitly barred.
As a consequence, he was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
This included 100 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to undergo rehabilitation, aimed at addressing his conduct and preventing future offenses.
Additionally, Gascoigne was ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,500, reflecting the court’s stance on enforcing legal compliance and safeguarding measures.
The case underscores the importance of strict adherence to safeguarding laws and highlights the ongoing efforts to prevent individuals with a history of offenses from working in sensitive roles involving children and vulnerable populations.
