Fury at sex offender’s human rights win

Dec 20 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A PERVERT yesterday won a landmark court case that ruled his indefinite enrolment on a Sex Offenders’ Register was an infringement of his human rights.

Furious campaigners last night blasted the decision that could see serial sex offender Angus Aubrey Thompson removed from the list.

He was jailed for five years in 1996 for two indecent assaults against a woman and other assault offences.

But Thompson, who used to live in Cowgate, Newcastle, claimed the restrictions imposed upon him since his conviction are a breach of his human rights.

Yesterday he won a groundbreaking ruling that his “indefinite” registration with no options for a review is “incompatible” with his human rights.

However, victim groups have claimed the decision is “patently absurd” and is an insult to the people he attacked.

Neil Atkinson, from the National Victims’ Association, said: “Although the human rights legislation has produced many worthwhile outcomes it has also been responsible for some patently absurd decisions.

“When it comes to playing fast and loose with the safety of the general public the view of this charity is that it’s an abuse of this legislation.

“I would also just say the victims of this man must be devastated at this injustice.” Mr Thompson launched the High Court bid last month in which his barrister, Pete Weatherby, argued his registration on the list was breach of his rights for privacy and family life, as enshrined in Article 8 of the Human Rights convention.

It is thought the test case could have massive implications for all sex offenders and their victims.

But Clare Phillipson, director of Wearside Women in Need, a charity which was set up to help female victims of domestic violence, said the Human Rights legislation was being used inappropriately to the advantage of offenders.

She said: “I’m sick to death of the human rights of sex offenders being put above the rights of their victims.

“The sex offender register is a way of keeping track of the people who have been convicted of serious offences.

“These offenders are manipulative and operate in secrecy. They need to know they can act covertly in order to target vulnerable women.

“Anyone who is taken off the list can continue to be a danger.”

Thompson was released on licence in 2000 and has not been in trouble since.

The 2003 Sexual Offences Act came into force while he was in prison, dictating because his jail sentence was over 30 months long, he must sign on to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Apart from having to notify police where he is living and what name he is using, it also means that he cannot even go on a family holiday without telling the authorities.

At London’s High Court, judges Lord Justice Latham, Mr Justice Underhill and Mr Justice Flaux heard how Thompson had suffered a series of heart attacks and is stricken by arthritis.

His barrister said the stress of being on the register was making his ill health worse.

And while Mr Weatherby said he accepted that in serious cases it was necessary for offenders to be on the register, he said adults should be entitled to periodic reviews.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with today's High Court judgment and are considering an appeal.

“The UK has one of the most robust systems of managing sex offenders in the world. The notification requirements form an important part of this system. They provide an invaluable tool to the authorities in allowing the police to keep track of the whereabouts of individual sex offenders and managing the risk of known sex offenders.”

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