BENJAMIN BROOKLYN FROM WHITBY JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCE TIED TO LIBRARY INCIDENT

Concerns about the safety of children in Whitby have been intensified following the recent imprisonment of Benjamin Brooklyn, a known sex offender, who was found to have used the town’s library to contact minors via social media.

Benjamin Brooklyn, aged 38, was sentenced to nine months in prison after he was convicted of breaching a court-imposed Sexual Offences Protection Order by attempting to establish contact with children through Facebook. The incident came to light during a court hearing at York Crown Court on Monday, where it was revealed that Brooklyn had previously been subject to restrictions aimed at safeguarding minors.

In April, Brooklyn was issued a Sexual Offences Protection Order after he was involved in encouraging or causing two young females to engage in sexual acts. Despite this legal restriction, he was found to have visited the library in Whitby and used its internet facilities to try and befriend two girls aged 11 and 12, as well as a 12-year-old boy, through social media platforms.

According to reports, two of the children received messages from Brooklyn while they were present in the library. An anonymous library user expressed concern over the incident, stating, “I think it’s awful. We don’t know who they are and I think it’s bad. They must feel dreadful, these poor girls who work at the library, knowing what’s gone on in here.”

During the court proceedings, Brooklyn appeared for sentencing after previously admitting to three charges of violating a sexual offences order on June 17. When questioned by police, Brooklyn claimed that the protective orders were not intended to shield children from individuals like him, asserting that he did not see himself as a threat.

However, the presiding judge, Recorder Amanda Rippon, emphasized that Brooklyn’s attempts to contact children could be viewed as a warning sign of potential future offending. She highlighted the seriousness of his actions and the risk they posed to the community.

Following the case, discussions have arisen regarding the adequacy of restrictions placed on convicted offenders in public spaces such as libraries. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council explained that individuals wishing to use library computers are required to sign an ‘acceptable use’ agreement, but additional restrictions might infringe upon civil liberties.

“Beyond that, Facebook and other social networks are perfectly legal sites so we can’t really police it more than that,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, a concerned parent, who wished to remain anonymous while taking her nine-year-old son to the library, voiced her opinion that restrictions should be more stringent to protect children. She said, “Public places like libraries need a list of convicted offenders or a control register of some sort.”

In light of his actions, Brooklyn was sentenced to nine months imprisonment. The court also recommended that local magistrates impose a ban preventing him from entering the Whitby library, aiming to prevent any further contact with minors in the community.