London: A 71-year-old convicted paedophile in Britain has been taken off the "Sex Offenders Register", leading to an outrage among the public and sparking fears that thousands of criminals could soon be free to roam the streets. George St Angeli had his name removed from the national database after a court ruling, The Sun reported.
His court victory means police will no longer be able to track his moves, leaving him free to go wherever he likes. Experts now fear it will pave the way for countless other paedophiles and rapists to be removed from the register.
St Angeli was jailed for five years in 1993 for sex offences against two young girls over a five-year period. He was freed on parole in 1996, and put on the Sex Offenders Register in 1997.
In 2012, police rejected an application to have his name removed, but St Angeli won an appeal at Leeds magistrates' court. Retired St Angeli served in the military as a warrant officer.
His lawyer told the court it was pointless keeping the man on the list as he was only visited once a year for a "chat". Children's charities have criticised the ruling.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said: "Adults who seriously sexually abuse children should stay on the register for life as you can never be sure they will not commit further offences."
Tory MP Philip Davies termed the ruling "ludicrous" and said judges appeared "completely clueless", The Sun reported. Davies called for the judge to be sacked if St Angeli reoffends.
Around 30,000 people on the register have abused a child, and almost 1,000 have committed further paedophile acts while on the database.
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