MALDON CARNIVAL CLAIM TO BE 'CLEARED OF WRONGDOING' AFTER GROUP CHAIRMAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Paedophile Robert Slight was handed a 12-year prison sentence after he "manipulated victims and their families" so he could gain access to children to satisfy his sexual interests.Slight, 45, held a position of unsupervised access with children through his roles as a chaperone and chairperson of the Maldon Carnival.
He had been part of the Carnival group for more than a decade prior to the criminal investigation.
His sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday (March 2) heard he held these positions despite convictions in 2001 linked to indecent images.
The prosecution said he "somehow passed the DBS test".
Detectives also found evidence of a 'fabricated' safeguarding officer with an email address domain linked to Slight.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (March 4), the Maldon Carnival said: "We can confirm that the police have formally advised that Maldon Carnival has been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to this matter.
We welcome this confirmation and hope it provides reassurance to our supporters, participants, sponsors, and the wider community." The group said they acted "immediately and decisively" to remove Slight from his position when allegations were brought to their attention.
Since then he has had no further involvement, responsibility or association with the group.
Maldon Carnival said they take allegations of this nature "extremely seriously" and the safety and wellbeing of children, volunteers and those who interact with the group's events has been their priority.
They added that all members of the group that work directly with children are required to hold enhanced DBS checks.
"Safeguarding is central to our organisation, and we are committed to maintaining robust procedures that meet current best practice standards," the group continued.
"Following this matter, we have undertaken a review of our child protection and safeguarding policies.
These policies have now been updated and strengthened where appropriate, and they are publicly available on our website in the interests of transparency and accountability." "Maldon Carnival has proudly served the community for many years, bringing people together in a safe, inclusive, and family-focused environment.
We remain fully committed to upholding the trust placed in us and to continuing our work in a responsible and community-focused manner.
We thank our community for its continued support and understanding.
No further comment will be made at this time." Slight, of Wantz Road, Maldon, showed no emotional reaction during any part of his sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Members of the public in a packed courtroom cheered when Slight was given a 12-year prison sentence, with a further six years on licence.
Judge Jamie Sawyer said Slight had "engaged in classic grooming behaviour".
He also described Slight as having "corrupted" trust put in him by families so that he could "gain access to children".
Sentencing the paedophile, Judge Sawyer continued: "You have an entrenched sexual attraction to children.
That resulted in the abuse of four children.
Child sexual abuse can cause long-lasting harm.
The full extent of the harm might not be fully realised until many years later as the individual begins to realise their experience.
"I hope you listened to the harm caused to the children today.
For many of them, the real impact of what you have done may not be realised for many, many years.
Victims of child sexual abuse can suffer many issues.
I doubt that the true impact of your behaviour has come out.
What you did will stay with them forever."
