Saddleworth’s Glitter site shut by Facebook

CONCERNED fathers Julian Taylor and Jarrod Lowe

A website which gave worried Saddleworth villagers a chance to air their views on a convicted paedophile house-hunting in their community has been closed down.

The site was launched by two concerned fathers after reports that shamed former pop star Gary Glitter was looking for property in the area with a £900,000 price tag.

It was believed he was planning a visit, despite being refused accommodation at a hotel, after contacting a local estate agent.

Publican Julian Taylor, a father of four, and his friend Jarrod Lowe, who has two children, began a forum on the social networking website Facebook under the United Republic of Saddleworth tag inviting comments on Glitter’s plans. But Facebook has closed the site and removed all names and messages sent by Internet users.

In an e-mail to the men, who both live in Uppermill, Facebook says: “The group has been removed because it violated our terms of use.

“Among other things, groups that are hateful, threatening, or obscene are not allowed. We also take down groups that attack an individual or group, or advertise a product or service.”

But today the fathers defended their campaign and said they have opened a new website dedicated to giving the community a chance to debate a wide range of community issues.

A welcome message says: “The site aims to be light-hearted, informative and above all for the people of Saddleworth to air their views.”

Mr Taylor (41), who runs The Church Inn, said: “We never intended to cause any upsets. As parents, we wanted to give people a chance to have their say on Gary Glitter.

“His planned visit has thrown villagers into ferment. Parents and other interested parties simply wanted to air their views.”

Mr Lowe said: “Our new site has a variety of sections and will promote honest debate on subjects relative to our villagers.”

Last week, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, head of the Oldham police division, said dangerous offenders were rigorously managed and monitored by specially trained staff.

Glitter (65), was jailed for four years at Bristol Crown Court in 1999 for having a computer collection of 4,000 hardcore photographs 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.