DADLEY TAYLOR LIVES NEAR SCHOOLS IN SEAHAM AND HOLY ISLAND DESPITE CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION

In a concerning development, Father David Taylor, a 59-year-old Catholic priest with a history of child abuse, has been found residing in close proximity to educational institutions and a nursery in Northumberland and County Durham, raising alarm among local residents. Taylor, who previously served as a youth chaplain for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle during the early 1980s, was convicted of indecently assaulting three boys aged between 12 and 15. The assaults took place in two separate locations: Seaham, a coastal town in County Durham, and Holy Island, situated in Northumberland.

Last year, Taylor appeared before Durham Crown Court, where he admitted to the charges. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. However, he has since been released after serving only half of his sentence. Despite his release, Taylor remains on the sex offenders’ register for life, a measure intended to monitor and restrict his movements and activities.

One of Taylor’s victims, Mark Dixon, aged 38 and a former police officer from County Durham, expressed his anger and frustration in an interview with The Northern Echo last month. Dixon stated that he harbors intense feelings of resentment towards Taylor, even saying, “I could kill the priest for the abuse I suffered at his hands.” His words underscore the lasting trauma inflicted by the assaults and the ongoing emotional toll.

Residents living near Taylor’s current residence in Bedlington, Northumberland, have voiced their concerns and outrage over his presence in the community. His home is situated within walking distance—approximately five minutes—from Meadowdale County Middle School, St Benet Biscop Catholic High School, Bedlington Bears nursery, and a local playing field. The proximity of these facilities to Taylor’s residence has caused considerable anxiety among parents and neighbors alike.

A local mother, who has children aged three and one, expressed her disbelief and worry: “I can’t believe he has been allowed to live back here. There are a lot of young children in this street, and during term-time, there are always kids walking back and forth to the schools. I don’t let my children play outside the garden anyway, but now I will be keeping them even closer. It is really scary that someone like that is so close. We want him to be moved.”

Another resident, whose partner has two toddlers, shared similar concerns: “I know he has got to live somewhere, but anyone with kids will tell you they would rather he lived behind a 10-foot wall and a locked gate. It was a long time ago, and maybe he has changed, but you can’t be sure of that.”

In response to these concerns, a police spokesperson clarified that Taylor is subject to multi-agency public protection arrangements. These protocols are designed to monitor the location and behavior of convicted sex offenders to ensure community safety. The officer stated, “All sex offenders in the community have rights to a private life, albeit while being managed and monitored by Public Protection officers. However, the public is also entitled to protection from any potential risk posed by offenders in the community. The Public Protection arrangements work to minimise the risk posed by each individual offender and to protect the public.”

Despite these measures, the presence of Taylor so close to schools and children’s facilities continues to provoke concern among local residents, highlighting ongoing debates about the balance between offender rehabilitation and community safety.