ERIK PAGE'S SHOCKING RELEASE FROM PRISON IN LEICESTERSHIRE TO WEST SUSSEX SPARKS OUTRAGE IN BUGHTON ASTLEY AND BEYOND

In a development that has stirred widespread concern and outrage among local communities, Eric Page, a convicted sex offender, is scheduled to be released from prison and relocate to West Sussex, a move that has alarmed many residents and parents alike. The announcement has particularly unsettled those living in areas close to where the tragic abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne took place, a case that remains etched in the collective memory of the region.

Page, who hails from Broughton Astley in Leicestershire, was sentenced in 1995 at Derby Crown Court to serve an eight-year term after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving minors. His convictions included charges of rape, indecent assault, and acts of indecency committed against three young girls over a span of more than a decade, from 1974 to 1986. The most severe of these crimes involved the rape of a six-year-old girl, a fact that has left a lasting scar on the victims and their families.

Having served his sentence at Swaleside Prison in Kent, Page is now set to be released in September, a decision that has ignited fierce reactions from the community. The mother of three children, who was herself a victim of Page’s crimes, has expressed her profound distress and outrage. She revealed that she plans to travel to West Sussex to distribute leaflets and put up posters warning local families about his impending release, emphasizing her belief that the community has a right to be informed and vigilant.

According to a letter received from the Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Service dated July 19, it was confirmed that Page is scheduled to be released on a non-parole license in September. The letter also stated that his planned residence will be in West Sussex, and that he will remain under supervision by the Probation Service until May 2003. This information has only heightened fears among parents and advocacy groups, who worry about the safety of children in the area.

The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced her disbelief and disgust at the decision, stating, “I just cannot believe how the victims are forgotten. He wants to go down and live in West Sussex but I would not want him next door to me. It is disgusting, it is unbelievable, and I can only imagine how people down there must be feeling. I think people have got a right to know, and I intend to come down to tell other parents. I don’t believe he should ever come out of prison.”

Her efforts are not isolated. Last year, she led a successful campaign to prevent Page’s early release, which was ultimately blocked after a victim’s letter was sent to Home Secretary Jack Straw. Despite these efforts, both Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Service and West Sussex Probation Service have refused to comment publicly on the case.

Adding to the chorus of concern, Tricia Porter, a mother of four from Goring, has initiated a petition calling for harsher sentences for sex offenders. She also advocates for the establishment of Safe Houses—safe spaces where children can seek refuge if they feel threatened or in danger. Mrs. Porter expressed her horror at the news of Page’s impending release, questioning the leniency of the current legal system. “How can he get out after such a short time? This is a perfect example of why the law should be changed. We don’t want him here in West Sussex,” she declared.

As the community grapples with these unsettling developments, many residents are calling for increased vigilance and community action to protect vulnerable children. The case of Eric Page continues to evoke strong emotions and raises critical questions about the balance between justice, public safety, and rehabilitation.