RORY GRIFFIN FROM BILLERICAY INVOLVED IN SEX OFFENDER INCIDENT NEAR NORTHLANDS PARK AND FELMORES HOSTEL

In November 2006, a disturbing case involving Rory Griffin, a known sex offender from Billericay, has raised serious concerns about the safety and supervision of individuals released from prison and housed in local hostels. Griffin, who had served time for child sex offences, was involved in a heinous rape just 13 days after his release, prompting questions about the adequacy of monitoring and the risks posed by such offenders living in the community.

Contrary to claims made by the probation service that Griffin’s case was an isolated incident, evidence suggests that there have been multiple troubling encounters involving sex offenders at the Felmores hostel and nearby areas. A park ranger, Mick Toomer, who manages fishing activities at Gloucester Park and Northlands Park, publicly challenged these assertions, revealing that Griffin was not the first offender to stray into Northlands Park without proper supervision.

Mr. Toomer recounted how he had personally observed Griffin, who police have not publicly named, engaging in suspicious behaviour over a three-day period in April 2003. During this time, Griffin was seen with young anglers, and his body language and manner of speaking raised immediate concerns. Recognising the potential danger, Mr. Toomer used binoculars to monitor Griffin’s actions and, after witnessing his interactions with children, promptly alerted the police.

Police investigations confirmed that Griffin was breaching the conditions of his early release licence, which explicitly prohibited him from approaching playgrounds or children. His presence in the park and his interactions with minors were deemed violations of his parole, leading to his re-incarceration to serve the remainder of his sentence. Griffin’s admission to police that he felt ready to offend again and was employing grooming techniques similar to those used before his initial imprisonment further underscored the ongoing threat he posed.

In addition to this incident, Mr. Toomer recalled another troubling event in August 2002, when a group of youths from the Felmores hostel attempted to assault a fellow inmate suspected of being a paedophile in Northlands Park. Such incidents highlight a pattern of problematic behaviour linked to the presence of sex offenders in the area.

Mr. Toomer expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the housing of sex offenders at Felmores, noting that for a long time, authorities refused to acknowledge their presence. Only recently has this information been made public, raising concerns among local residents and officials.

John Baron, the Conservative MP for Billericay and District, has publicly called for a ban on housing sex offenders at the Felmores hostel. He emphasized the importance of community safety and urged anyone with information about similar incidents to come forward to strengthen the case for such restrictions.

Meanwhile, Lynn McKay of Essex Probation Service initially stated that Griffin’s case was the only known reoffence among residents. However, she later clarified that while no offence had occurred during the latest incident, Griffin was recalled to prison based on information provided by a member of the public. McKay also highlighted that over 99 percent of high-risk cases managed by probation do not re-offend, and she stressed the role of hostel accommodation in maintaining community safety compared to other forms of housing such as B&Bs.

These events underscore the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing high-risk offenders and ensuring public safety in areas like Billericay, Northlands Park, and Felmores. The case of Rory Griffin serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by inadequate supervision and the need for stricter measures to prevent reoffending and protect vulnerable members of the community.