FEBRUARY 2001 Paedophile served ice creams in Crystal Palace Park A man who served ice creams to children in Crystal Palace Park was part of a notorious paedophile ring sentenced on Tuesday. Taxi drier Ahmed Ali, 30, from Tulse Hill, was sentenced to two years in jail for possession of 13,000 pornographic images of children on his computer. Despite his sentence, handed down at Kingston Crown Court, he is likely to be freed after just one year. Ali used the nickname Devil’ when communicating with other members of the Wonderland paedophile ring via the internet. He worked at the Park Caf in Crystal Palace Park, where he served youngsters ice creams and drinks. And Streatham parents were horrified to find out he lived in Palace Road – just yards from Streatham Wells Primary School. Karen Francis, who last year set up the Community Zone for educational training in Palace Road, is the mother of a child at the school. She said: Not only is it outrageous that this sentence has been served for a crime such as this, but also that he will be able to return and wander freely at a place where it is easily accessible. There is no place in society for these more than warped individuals”. Another mother, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: “What does a two year sentence say to people about his crime? It says you can do this sort of thing and virtually get away with it. You probably can’t print what I think should be done to him”. Streatham Wells pointed out that it employs a member of staff to wait outside the school in the morning and at home time to ensure that no child is left waiting alone. Seven of the country’s leading children charities, including the Barnado’s, Childline and the NSPCC issued a joint statement concerning the lenient sentencing: “We are deeply disappointed by today’s decision. The leniency displayed today seems to say that this type of child sex abuse will be tolerated by today’s society. It is completely unacceptable”. A spokesman for Lambeth Council said: “We will be working very closely with police upon his release and monitoring his residence. Child protection agencies will be informed”.
