Families' petition to keep sex abuser behind bars
FAMILIES are campaigning for a convicted paedophile's prison sentence to be increased.
Pervert David Whieldon was jailed for three years after grooming and sexually abusing two "very young" children.
But the 63-year-old could be walking the streets within
months after the judge ruled he should spend half the sentence behind
bars and the rest out on licence.
Residents have now launched a petition demanding the length of the jail term is reviewed.
Photocopies of Sentinel court reports have been distributed in Berryhill, where Whieldon is believed to have bought a home.
Law student Abii Flaherty, aged 18, of Kingsdale, Close, Meir, who launched the petition which is being distributed in Whieldon's home village of Tean and further afield, said: "It is not justice for these young children, whose family have been torn to pieces."
Whieldon, of Aintree Road, had admitted two charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13.
He also pleaded guilty to one charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. But Recorder Raymond Wigglesworth QC ruled that because of his age the danger of re-offending was not high.
However, Abbi said age and infirmity had not stopped him abusing the girls in the first place.
She added: "The sentence was far too lenient."
Campaigners also argued Whieldon should not have been given credit for a guilty plea because he did not confess until the day his trial was due to start.
Jean Hayter, a 58-year-old nurse, distributed leaflets to families in Onsetter Road, where they believe Whieldon now owns a house. She said police arrived just as they had delivered the last of 70 copies, headed Do You Know Who Has Moved Into Your Neighbourhood?
She added: "The judge is giving perverts a green light to come to Stoke-on-Trent and abuse children. The family are so incensed."
Father-of-two Scott Hughes, aged 31, of Forefield Grove, who received a copy, said: "I have two children and obviously don't want someone like that living around here."
Mother-of-two Amanda Brindley, aged 26, of Onsetter Road, said: "He won't be made very welcome. I wouldn't know anything about it if it wasn't for the leaflets."
Whieldon's offences were carried out over an 18-month period before one of the children blurted out what had been happening.
Both girls told police he had performed sex acts on them and then forced them to do the same to him.
Whieldon was jailed for three years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on the incitement charge, for which the sentencing range is one and to years. His 18-month jail sentences for the two sexual assaults will run concurrently.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said the sentence could be reviewed if the family made a formal complaint that it was unduly lenient.
He said: "There is an avenue for us to appeal and there is a possibility that the sentence can be increased. We can look at the case and the offence."
Pervert David Whieldon was jailed for three years after grooming and sexually abusing two "very young" children.
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David Whieldon
Residents have now launched a petition demanding the length of the jail term is reviewed.
Photocopies of Sentinel court reports have been distributed in Berryhill, where Whieldon is believed to have bought a home.
Law student Abii Flaherty, aged 18, of Kingsdale, Close, Meir, who launched the petition which is being distributed in Whieldon's home village of Tean and further afield, said: "It is not justice for these young children, whose family have been torn to pieces."
Whieldon, of Aintree Road, had admitted two charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13.
He also pleaded guilty to one charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. But Recorder Raymond Wigglesworth QC ruled that because of his age the danger of re-offending was not high.
However, Abbi said age and infirmity had not stopped him abusing the girls in the first place.
She added: "The sentence was far too lenient."
Campaigners also argued Whieldon should not have been given credit for a guilty plea because he did not confess until the day his trial was due to start.
Jean Hayter, a 58-year-old nurse, distributed leaflets to families in Onsetter Road, where they believe Whieldon now owns a house. She said police arrived just as they had delivered the last of 70 copies, headed Do You Know Who Has Moved Into Your Neighbourhood?
She added: "The judge is giving perverts a green light to come to Stoke-on-Trent and abuse children. The family are so incensed."
Father-of-two Scott Hughes, aged 31, of Forefield Grove, who received a copy, said: "I have two children and obviously don't want someone like that living around here."
Mother-of-two Amanda Brindley, aged 26, of Onsetter Road, said: "He won't be made very welcome. I wouldn't know anything about it if it wasn't for the leaflets."
Whieldon's offences were carried out over an 18-month period before one of the children blurted out what had been happening.
Both girls told police he had performed sex acts on them and then forced them to do the same to him.
Whieldon was jailed for three years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on the incitement charge, for which the sentencing range is one and to years. His 18-month jail sentences for the two sexual assaults will run concurrently.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said the sentence could be reviewed if the family made a formal complaint that it was unduly lenient.
He said: "There is an avenue for us to appeal and there is a possibility that the sentence can be increased. We can look at the case and the offence."
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