GORDON BATEY RETURNS TO CARLISLE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE VICTIM LIVES AFTER RELEASE FROM JAIL
| Red Rose Database
Carlisle Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing development, Gordon Batey, a convicted paedophile, has been allowed to resettle in Carlisle, Cumbria, just streets away from the home of his young victim. The girl, who was only 15 at the time of the abuse, has been left devastated and distressed by the fact that her attacker is now living so close to her residence.
Her family only discovered Batey's release when her father unexpectedly encountered him outside an Iceland supermarket in the area. This encounter was particularly upsetting because the girl’s family had been assured that Batey would not be residing in her neighborhood upon his release from prison. Despite these assurances, Batey, aged 61, was permitted to return to Carlisle and is now residing in a bail hostel nearby, raising serious concerns about community safety and victim protection.
The girl, who has learning difficulties, was subjected to severe trauma following the abuse she endured in 2008. Her mother expressed her frustration and confusion over the lack of communication from authorities, stating, “I just can’t understand why we hadn’t been told. It could have been her bumping into him in the street. Batey saw my husband and took off.” The family’s fears are compounded by the fact that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was beginning to regain her confidence and feel safe enough to walk the streets again before this unsettling revelation.
Gordon Batey’s criminal record includes a 12-month jail sentence handed down last year after he admitted to charges of sexual assault and grooming. Court proceedings revealed that he would drive the young girl to a lay-by before abusing her, a pattern of predatory behavior that has left lasting scars on the victim’s life.
In October, the girl’s mother received a letter from the Victim Liaison Unit informing her that Batey would be released in November. The letter also stated that he would not be housed in Cumbria, and that authorities would notify her of his release. However, she reported that she did not receive any further communication from them after that initial letter.
Officials from the Cumbria Probation Trust declined to comment on individual cases but assured the public that “any breakdown in communication will be investigated.” Meanwhile, Cumbria Police emphasized that they prioritize public protection as “an absolute top priority,” underscoring the seriousness with which they approach cases involving convicted sex offenders and community safety concerns.
Her family only discovered Batey's release when her father unexpectedly encountered him outside an Iceland supermarket in the area. This encounter was particularly upsetting because the girl’s family had been assured that Batey would not be residing in her neighborhood upon his release from prison. Despite these assurances, Batey, aged 61, was permitted to return to Carlisle and is now residing in a bail hostel nearby, raising serious concerns about community safety and victim protection.
The girl, who has learning difficulties, was subjected to severe trauma following the abuse she endured in 2008. Her mother expressed her frustration and confusion over the lack of communication from authorities, stating, “I just can’t understand why we hadn’t been told. It could have been her bumping into him in the street. Batey saw my husband and took off.” The family’s fears are compounded by the fact that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was beginning to regain her confidence and feel safe enough to walk the streets again before this unsettling revelation.
Gordon Batey’s criminal record includes a 12-month jail sentence handed down last year after he admitted to charges of sexual assault and grooming. Court proceedings revealed that he would drive the young girl to a lay-by before abusing her, a pattern of predatory behavior that has left lasting scars on the victim’s life.
In October, the girl’s mother received a letter from the Victim Liaison Unit informing her that Batey would be released in November. The letter also stated that he would not be housed in Cumbria, and that authorities would notify her of his release. However, she reported that she did not receive any further communication from them after that initial letter.
Officials from the Cumbria Probation Trust declined to comment on individual cases but assured the public that “any breakdown in communication will be investigated.” Meanwhile, Cumbria Police emphasized that they prioritize public protection as “an absolute top priority,” underscoring the seriousness with which they approach cases involving convicted sex offenders and community safety concerns.