ALAN GREEN FROM RYDE, UK, LIVING NEAR SCHOOL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION

In November 2004, civil servant Alan Green, a resident of Ryde on the Isle of Wight, was convicted of possessing a significant number of indecent images of children. The court sentenced him to nine months in prison after police discovered 170 such images on his computer, along with photographs of naked girls displayed on his walls.

Despite serving his sentence, Green was allowed to return to his home, which notably overlooked a local playground. This residence provided him with a direct view of Swanmore Middle School, where hundreds of children aged between nine and thirteen attend classes. The proximity of Green’s home to the school raised immediate concerns among local residents and authorities alike.

Following reports and investigations prompted by coverage from The Sun newspaper, law enforcement officials decided to relocate Green to the mainland for his safety. A police spokesperson explained that this move was made to protect him from potential threats and to prevent further issues arising from his proximity to the school.

Local residents expressed their outrage and relief in equal measure. One community member stated, “Well done to The Sun. The police wouldn’t listen, but by highlighting the fact he is living there, he is gone and our kids are safer.” A parent from the area voiced fears that Green could sit in his house and gaze directly into the playground where children play, including those he had previously shown an unhealthy interest in.

Criticism was also directed at the authorities for permitting Green to reside so close to a school. A concerned father remarked, “How could kids be safe with him there?” Another parent added, “I do not want people who are a danger to children living anywhere near where children go to school. It’s absolutely disgraceful that the authorities allow individuals like this to live so close to a school.”

Green’s criminal record includes a conviction from July of the previous year, when he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. However, he was released early after London’s Appeal Court reduced his jail sentence from nine months to five months, and an order that prohibited him from working with children was overturned.

During the court proceedings, Green admitted to possessing six counts of indecent images of children. He claimed that he used these images for research purposes related to a novel he was writing, titled “Girls Needs,” which required him to access specialized websites.

Prosecutor Michael Selfe described the nature of the images, stating, “Some pictures showed naked children while others showed adults performing acts of bestiality.” Despite receiving character references from a former RAF Squadron Leader, Judge Richard Price emphasized the severity of Green’s actions, stating, “It is clear that you have a thoroughly unhealthy sexual interest in children. You are a danger to children and I am not satisfied you will not repeat your crimes.”

Green, who was employed by the Ministry of Defence at the time, denied being a danger to children. Before his relocation, he expressed a desire to remain in the community, asserting, “I want to remain in this community,” and when asked if he posed a threat, he responded, “Completely not.”