TERENCE WESTON REHABILITATION FEARS IN OXFORD AND BARTON

In a development that has sparked significant concern among residents and victims alike, convicted paedophile Terence Weston, aged 72, is potentially set to return to his former residence in Stowford Road, Barton, Oxford, as early as January. This move comes approximately sixteen months after Weston was sentenced to prison for a series of sexual offenses committed during the 1970s and 1980s.

Weston’s daughter, now in her 40s, expressed her profound disappointment and sense of betrayal regarding the justice and rehabilitation system. She conveyed her feelings of disgust, emphasizing her belief that her father’s return to the community poses a serious threat to her safety and well-being. Probation authorities have stated that such cases are handled routinely, and that they will carefully evaluate the potential risks Weston might pose upon release.

However, the victim, who cannot be publicly identified for legal reasons but has chosen to partially waive her right to anonymity, shared her distress. She explained, “Oxford’s not big enough for the both of us. This is my home, and he is not welcome.” She recounted her traumatic past, saying, “The general public see an old man. For me, I still see that man in his 40s, who made my life a living hell, who I genuinely believed would kill me one day. When I think about him being in Oxford, I feel like that same child again.”

To mitigate her fears, she was shown a map by a victim liaison officer and asked to identify places she frequents, so her father could be instructed to stay away from those areas. Despite her efforts to protect herself, she remains deeply worried about the possibility of encountering him again. She voiced her frustration, stating, “It’s disgusting. My family and I will live in constant fear of bumping into him. It seems like they have more of a duty of care to him than to the community or his victims. But if so, why then would they put him in danger by sending him back to the community where everyone knows him, and knows what he did?”

Reflecting on her past trauma, she revealed, “When he was convicted, I went to a very dark place and was very depressed. But now I’ve allowed myself to dream again, like the young girl I once was. I’m so proud of my sons, who will grow up to be a stark contrast to the man their grandfather is. We all just want the chance to rebuild our lives, knowing we’ll never have to come into contact with him again.”

Weston was incarcerated in August 2009 after admitting to ten counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. He is currently serving a 34-month sentence but is expected to be released on licence for the remainder of his term.

Before his conviction, Weston was regarded as a respected member of the community. He worked at the Cowley car plant and served as an housing officer for Dominion Housing. Additionally, he was involved in community projects, including youth initiatives in Barton and Greater Leys, and played a role in establishing the Barton Neighbourhood Centre. In the 1970s, he also managed the Athletico Florentina Sunday league football team.

A Thames Valley Probation Service spokesperson stated, “The decision on whether Terence Weston can or cannot return to his home address in Barton has not yet been made. Many factors will be taken into account before any final decision happens. It’s usual for us to try to return offenders to the communities they come from, if it’s deemed safe to do so. This is done after careful consideration of all the risk factors involved, and each case is dealt with on an individual basis. This would include their likelihood of reoffending and the risk they pose.”

When asked about the frequency of re-housing paedophiles near their victims within the county, the spokesperson declined to provide specific figures, citing confidentiality and case-by-case assessments.