Serious non-motoring legal question

[gilbertd]

A female friend of mine was forcibly imprisoned and raped about 11 years ago. At the ensuing court case her evidence was crucial to the prosecution case and the rapist was found guilty and given 7 years. He had previously been accused but there had never been sufficient evidence for a conviction so was already known to the local BiB as a serious, violent offender. Word has it that after his release, he was convicted again (not sure what for though) and served further time.

Some time ago, friend registered on one of these online dating websites and put her photo on it. She has not been on this site for quite some time but was recently contacted (by email) by a man who found her details on the site. He has now sent her a photo of himself and it is her rapist. This could be a fluke coincidence but, reading between the lines of his email to her, it appears that he is aware of who she is. She is understandably concerned that the man who served a 7 year sentence (or at least however much of it he had to serve before being released early) on the strength of her evidence has now got, if nothing else, her email address (hotmail, so not easily traceable). She phoned the local BiB only to be told that there is nothing that can be done.

Does this sound right?

[randlemarcus]

Sounds about right, sorry to say.
She puts her photo and email address in a public place, then someone uses that information to contact her, its not in and of itself a crime.

Is there something in his bail conditions that forbids contact? If not, then he hasnt done anything illegal. Immoral, hell yes, but thats not an arrestable offence.

Having made sure that the police are made aware of the situation, I'd be tempted in her place, if she has moved on mentally, to reply telling him that she is aware of who he is, that she has informed the police about the start of a harassment, and that she never wants to hear from him again. That might be enough to stop any thoughts he has. Or it might not. Whatever she does, tell her that changing the hotmail address is a good start.

[Parrot of Doom]

Speak to the officers who dealt with the original case. They may be inclined to visit him and warn him off.

[streaky]

I suggest she:
1) gets a new email address;
2) blocks any email she receives from this man as spam;
3) notifies MSN and ISP of the situation;
4) removes her details from public websites;
5) doesn't post them again.

Streaky

[nobleguy]

Shame that it's probably not possible to have him barred from sites like that.
I think it really is time the web sites were able to do this given (suitable proof that the guy is a convicted sex offender).

[superlightr]

what a horrible situation.

Can she warn the online dating agency perhaps?

[gilbertd]

Thanks for the advice. She was under the impression that there would be some sort of bar against him living in the same area, but I suspect the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act says that this isn't the case. Obviously, as the conviction is now spent, there are no bail conditions. She has blocked emails from him and taken out a new email address. Contacting the dating website and reporting him is a good idea, I'll speak to her later. I think what is more worrying for her is that after all this time he has now reappeared, in the same area, and I think she is worried that she might bump into him while pushing a trolley around Sainsburys. This was always a possibility I suppose, but this has bought back memories of something she, understandably, had tried to forget.

[MK_Bob]

I'm sorry to lower the tone, as the previous responses have been very sensible. But i'd be inclined to orchestrate a way to get this individuals address through this dating website, or organise to meet up with him (posing as an interested female maybe). Of course, i would take a few friends along and give this chap a rather stern talking to. If he gets the message, fine. If he doesn't get the message, well, i'm sure i can leave the result to your imagination.

I could justify this action a hell of a lot more than i could justify allowing a rapist to freely taunt their victim.

I appreciate the difficulty of the situation though, and i respect your willingness to explore all possibilities.

[Davel]

What an awful situation for her.

Nothing sensible to say but she must be terrified of bumping into the bastard.

[tigger1]

Not to make light of it, but if she still lives in the same place, and still has the same name, it wouldn't take much to find her anyway - so knowing her email addy is no biggy.

And I'm glad she feels confident enought be leaving her details on dating sites - thats good to hear that she's not turned into a man-hating west-end thespian.

Just block his email address, or only open email from "recognised" sources...the usual advice really.

[slowly slowly]

Tell her to get a big dog.

[kenp]

If he was convicted of a further offence then he may still be subject to supervision by the Probation Service (there is always a supervision order if released early/parole). Contact local Probation Office and run it by them. If he fails to comply with P.O then he could face a recall to prison (even for an unrelated offence).

[chrispy porker]

Yes, he may have parole conditions or be on licence.
Local probation service should have the details.
Parole officers can revoke licences, and back he goes to jail without passing go.
Mind you he has got to do something that is not allowed under the terms of his licence before this can happen. I would hope that harassing a victim would be included.
I am amazed and concerned the police say they can do nothing.
They could at least, as a minimum, check his licence status, and his current address as a registered sex offender.
THey can't tell your friend much but at least he gets flagged up in the intell system.

Edited by chrispy porker on Friday 13th April 16:41

[Dibble]

nobleguy said:

Shame that it's probably not possible to have him barred from sites like that.
I think it really is time the web sites were able to do this given (suitable proof that the guy is a convicted sex offender).

Sexual Offences Prevention Orders can do this. Although they aren't retrospective for old cases.