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Villagers want Glitter banned
Reporter: KEN BENNETT
Date online: 16/11/2009
FURIOUS villagers have launched a “United Republic of Saddleworth” in a bid to ban Gary Glitter from their community.
The convicted paedophile is tipped to fly to the area this week to begin a hunt for a secluded house in the £900,000 price bracket.
But father-of-two, Jarrod Lowe, has turned people’s champion by creating a page on Facebook offering anxious families a chance to air their views about Glitter, real name Paul Gadd.
More than 500 people signed up in the first 12 hours — with more joining at the rate of 20 an hour — following Friday’s exclusive Chronicle story.
Mr Lowe’s campaign is backed by father-of-four, Julian Taylor, landlord of the Church Inn, and retired policeman, Martin Warburton.
Mr Lowe (39), of Uppermill, said: “I have touched a nerve in the community — the responses have gone into melt down.”
Publican Julian Taylor added: “Everyone is united in their revulsion.”
Retired Saddleworth bobby Martin Warburton, who was on the force at the time of the Moors Murders, said: “It’s hard to understand why a man like this would want to come here.”
Meanwhile, the Chronicle’s website has been bombarded with comments from readers.
Some are worried about children’s safety and one warns property prices would slump if Glitter moved in.
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “Clearly, I hope any plans Mr Gadd has to move to Saddleworth do not come to pass. It is a very difficult issue.
“Mr Gadd is a free man, albeit subject to the conditions of the Sex Offenders’ Register.
“It is possible to live anonymously in large cities but not in village areas where people tend to know each other.”
Saddleworth parish councillor Ken Hulme said: “Memories of the Moors Murders make us particularly sensitive to adults who prey on children — this is the last place Gary Glitter should think of moving.
“I hope no reputable estate agent will help him or any vendor be prepared to sell a property to him — however difficult the housing market might be.”
Glitter was refused accommodation at Clough Manor in Denshaw by hotel owner Alan Tupman. Local estate agents The Jones Partnership confirmed it has been contacted by representatives it believed acted for the shamed glam-rock star.
Estate agent boss Gwyn Jones said no further contact or viewing appointments had been made.
“I am aware of the community’s concerns and will attempt to keep everyone informed,” he added.
Glitter (65) was jailed for four years at Bristol Crown Court in 1999 after admitting to possessing 4,000 images of children being abused.
He was convicted again in Vietnam in 2006 for molesting two local girls aged 11 and 12, and served 27 months in prison.
He is reported to have searched for hideaways in the south-east of England, but settled in central London.
Facebook users can check out United Republic of Saddleworth/Gary Glitter.
Have Your Say
IZZIE44 WHY DONT YOU LET HIM MOVE IN WITH YOU AND LET HIM SAVE 900K IF HES SO INNOCENT. I REALLY CANT BELEIVE SOME PEOPLE.
OK Then. Well if we forget about his past, which I personally can't but anyway.....I would like to live in Saddleworth but I wouldn't buy a house (whatever the price) if it was next door, accross the road, close by etc from a convicted child abuser (not just Gary Glitter). I feel sorry for his new neighbours because if they ever wish to move house they will have a really difficult time selling.
cannot believe people have fallen for this story!
Izzie, I can only assume that you either don't have children, haven't been sexually absued yourself or live the other side of Oldham near Manchester so aren't bothered. Get this, people like him never get over the mental illness of wanting to abuse children. I say mental illness and I mean it. That's why people like him used to be locked up. Once a child abuser always a child abuser. He went to Vietnam because he thought he would get away with it!
Izzie, I can only assume that you either don't have children, haven't been sexually absued yourself or live the other side of Oldham near Manchester so aren't bothered. Get this, people like him never get over the mental illness of wanting to abuse children. I say mental illness and I mean it. That's why people like him used to be locked up. Once a child abuser always a child abuser. He went to Vietnam because he thought he would get away with it!
Well is Saddleworth nimbies at it again, it does not help matters when abroad that the legal age for sex differs, in some countries its 12, in some european countries its 14, in this country its 16. Uniformity would help, as for Vietnam and Thialand they have mostly turned a blind eye to the disgraceful acts. Now more charities are working with the children it is now being correctly addressed and needed a big name capture, Glitter fitted the bill.
At least you would know where and who he was. Let's not forget most abusers, sexual and physical, of the child are one or both of the parents. They are in every community, do you know where they are?
You've condemned this man before he even steps into the area. He's on the sex offenders list, he's high profile so he has to live within the laws, and yet your saying he's guilty, guilty of what, of trying to start again? Everyone deserves a second chance but yet some of the folk of Saddleworth have formed a posse, playing judge and jury and trying to run an innocent man out of town. He's paid his penalty for his crimes, let the man move on.
Love the headline "villagers want Glitter banned".
Glitter band-get it!
The only thing these saddleworth vigilantes are worried about is the price of their property losing value, mentioned in these comments, and mentioned in last nights comments, they are not worried about anything else
Some good could come out of this. with glitter living in the area, maybe parents might be a little more responsible with their children and not allow them to roam the streets late at night like we currently have.
Intherealworld would do well to remember that homosexuals used to be locked up because of their 'mental illness'. Now it is not only legal but almost compulsory. Getting caught having sex with a 14 year old will have you signing the same register a Mr Glitter at the moment but as the EU now sets our laws that may change. Will it still be a mental illnees then?
Ohhhh.......
Come on, come on...come on, come on.....come on, come on, come on!
Give over the lot of you. He's done his time for his crime, that's if there ever was one, Vietnam can't be believed for the Kangaroo court trail he had. he's on the sex offenders register and he's a high profile case, something tells me he won't be so stupid again! The only crime he's done in this country was to have pictures on his computer to which he's answered/explained himself. It's time to move on, leave him alone.
By IZZIE44 @ 16/11/2009 13:12:28
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