MALCOLM BATE REHOUSED NEAR SEVEN SCHOOLS IN BIRMINGHAM DESPITE PAST SEX OFFENSES
In February 2001, a disturbing decision by Birmingham City Council has sparked outrage and concern among local residents.Malcolm Bate, a man with a well-documented history of sexual offenses against young boys, has been rehoused within a mile of seven schools in the Birmingham area, raising serious questions about the safety and judgment involved in such housing arrangements.
Malcolm Bate, who was convicted in 1994 of engaging in sexual acts with young boys, requested a transfer from his previous residence in Winson Green after it was vandalized.
The council responded by relocating him to a property in Harborne, a decision that has been widely criticized as 'diabolical' by community members and local officials alike.
One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed their outrage: 'Children play at the top of his road and there is a school at the other end of his street.
It’s disgusting.
I don’t have a problem with him being housed by the council — but you think they would get out an A-to-Z and see where the schools are.' The resident further explained their concerns about the safety of children, stating, 'I have told the woman who looks after my children when I am at work not to let them out when I’m not there.
But it’s not a matter of children staying away from him — it’s a matter of him being kept away from them.' Details of Bate’s criminal past reveal the severity of his offenses.
In 1994, Birmingham Crown Court heard how he involved approximately ten boys aged between six and thirteen in sexual activities at his home.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Bate had deliberately equipped his residence with a pool table and a computer to lure young boys into his home.
He also took photographs and made videos of the abuse.
Bate admitted to multiple charges, including indecent assault, indecency with a six-year-old, indecent assault on a ten-year-old, and two counts of possessing indecent images of children.
Additionally, he requested that seven other offenses be taken into consideration during sentencing and admitted to possessing a firearm and ammunition without a license.
Judge Mr.
Justice McKinnon sentenced Bate to four and a half years in prison, commenting, 'You equipped your home clearly with the object of attracting young boys.' The courtroom erupted with anger from parents and community members, some shouting 'rot in hell' as Bate was led away from the dock.
Despite his incarceration, Bate’s troubling activities did not cease entirely.
Last year, at the age of 52, he was seen collecting money for a children’s charity appeal at a Somerfield supermarket.
This incident prompted the charity, Appeals Plus, to ban him from fundraising activities at the store.
When approached by the Sunday Mercury last week, Bate claimed he was no longer a danger to children.
He stated, 'I keep myself to myself, apart from going to the shops for my papers and to collect my social security payments.
I have been chemically castrated so there is no way that I can get those feelings again.
I have also had two and a half years of sex therapy.
I owned up at the time and all I tried to do with the collecting was to make good.
I did not know that there were so many schools nearby.
I knew there was one because I go to the shops near it.' He further indicated his intention to request a move, saying, 'I will request a move.
I understand people’s concern.' Local officials and community leaders have expressed their strong disapproval of the council’s decision.
Harborne ward councillor Peter Hollingworth, a member of the Labour Party, described the housing arrangement as 'diabolical.' He was supported by Conservative councillor John Alden, who emphasized the importance of protecting children: 'If he is living near schools and where young people are, the authorities need to do something to protect them if they are at risk.' The Birmingham City Council responded to the controversy by stating, 'We allocate people on their housing need alone.
Anything to do with criminal records is a police matter.' Meanwhile, West Midlands Police clarified that the decision regarding where to house individuals with sex convictions involves multiple agencies working together to assess the risks and determine appropriate placements, though specific details of their involvement remain confidential.
