ROBIN MALLEN, SCHOOL CARETAKER IN CHESTER, JAILED FOR SEX ACT IN PRESENCE OF A CHILD

In August 2009, a former primary school caretaker was sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Robin Mallen, who resides on London Road, admitted to two charges of sexual activity committed while a child was present and received a 16-month prison sentence at Chester Crown Court on Thursday.

The 59-year-old, a former employee at Victoria Road Primary School, has been permanently banned from working with children. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for a duration of 10 years and issued a five-year order that prohibits any unsupervised contact with children under 17.

There is no indication that any children from the primary school were directly involved in the offenses.

Following the sentencing, the family of one of the victims—a young girl aged just seven—spoke out to warn other parents. One family member expressed their concerns: "The thing that makes you feel sick to the stomach is the fact that he was a primary school caretaker and had been for about three years."

They added, "They’re not actually investigating anything at the school but if you had known that this man was one of the people you were entrusting your child to at school you’d go absolutely mad."

The family emphasized the importance of parental awareness, stating, "I think parents should be aware – I don’t want to cause undue panic but I don’t want them being kept in the dark."

Cheshire Police confirmed that Mallen was arrested on July 5 and subsequently charged. He was remanded in custody until his appearance at Chester Crown Court.

Ian Callister, a spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council, which oversees education services, commented, "Mr Mallen was suspended as soon as the council was notified by the police of this matter, and his dismissal was effective from July 31."

He also clarified, "No pupils at Victoria Road Primary School were involved in these offences before the court."