Soft justice is letting victims down, says furious Met chief who claims 'paedophiles are prioritised over children'
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By REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
The UK's top police chief has blasted Labour's justice reforms, saying the system puts criminals first.
Mark Rowley said 'children should be put first, not the paedophile' as he warned that 'dangerous and prolific offenders' are 'routinely' released on bail despite the risk they pose.
In an unprecedented attack, Sir Mark described how public confidence in the justice system is under threat, saying it was 'little surprise' victims were deserting prosecutions in droves after seeing their attackers let loose.
The warning comes a week before 700 offenders are due to be set free from prisons in the first tranche of Labour's early release scheme.
The Scotland Yard Commissioner spoke out as a sex offender who took 5,000 images of children and mothers at a playground was finally locked up after being bailed to his home address, overlooking the play area, three times by judges.
In an appalling case highlighting police frustration at plans to keep offenders out of jail, three courts refused to remand Zafer Dogan into custody after the paedophile admitted preying on children.
The predator, who used AI to digitally alter images by removing clothing from youngsters in school uniform, was repeatedly released on bail to his home where he was able to photograph children from a bedroom. He followed hundreds of women and children as young as seven, spending hours lurking in his car to secretly take pictures.
Dogan, 32, also preyed on children known to him, taking covert pictures which he later 'nudified' after collecting 1,800 indecent images online - including extreme pornographic material and bestiality.
Mark Rowley said 'children should be put first, not the paedophile' as he warned that 'dangerous and prolific offenders' are 'routinely' released on bail despite the risk they pose
In an appalling case highlighting police frustration at plans to keep offenders out of jail, three courts refused to remand Zafer Dogan into custody after the paedophile admitted preying on children. He is seen here outside court
But judges refused to remand him into custody even after he had admitted nine offences relating to indecent images, extreme pornography and obstructing police.
As a result, his victims' families had to flee their homes, taking their children out of schools, quitting their jobs and relocating to protect them from the paedophile who continued to seek contact.
Yesterday Judge Alexander Jacobs jailed Dogan for two years and four months, describing him as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' who charmed victims. The mother of one victim said: 'I feel like we are on the run - yet we aren't the sex offender. How can a court put him back so close to his victims?'
Another parent said: 'Our lives are turned upside down for ever. Yet no one protects us.'
Speaking outside Wood Green Crown Court, Sir Mark said: 'The children should be put first, not the paedophile.
Pressure to reduce the remand population has contributed to more dangerous and prolific offenders being granted bail routinely despite strong submissions from the police and CPS.
'Victims are left fearful, communities are left feeling less safe and confidence in the justice system is undermined. This case is just another example of victims being let down.'
He said officers were 'routinely' seeing the consequences of 'pressure' on courts not to remand criminals due to prison overcrowding.
A Government spokesman said: 'The law is clear that bail should only be used where necessary and proportionate, including to protect victims, witnesses and the public while investigations and court proceedings are ongoing.'
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