Parents have demanded to know if they are living in the same street as the sex offender who appeared before Chichester magistrates and admitted 28 charges of making nearly 700 indecent photographs of children.

"People on the sex offenders' register should be named so that parents can keep their children safe," said North Mundham mother Rebecca Zugor.

The court ruled his family's safety was more important than telling the public who he was and, after admitting the crimes, he was able to walk just as anonymously out of the court room and into the city's streets.

The court order, handed to the Observer, said the order was 'necessary' in the 'interests of justice', and because 'the defendant's children reside locally and attend the local school'.

It also points to riots on the Paulsgrove estate in Portsmouth which exploded into violence in 2000 when parents believed a child sex offender was living in their community.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the community because the man could be living anywhere.

Mother-of-five Stephanie Cannon was shocked to learn the court would not even reveal the area in which he lived.

"I think he should be named and shamed," she said. "I think it is disgraceful we are not allowed to know where he is.

"I think if you ask any parent they will say the same thing – we should be able to know. At least to be told they are in your area or where they hang about."

The court was told police officers raided the man's home on November 28 last year and seized CDs which were examined and found to contain a total of 683 images of child abuse.

Of these there were three level five photos – the most serious – 127 level four, 115 level three, 58 level two and 380 level one photos.

"It is a worry he has pleaded guilty to this and he could be living next door to me," said one mother-of-two from Westergate, who asked not to be named.

"It is frightening and disappointing that these things happen right under your nose.

"He should be named – it is not fair on anyone in the community if he isn't."

A mother of three from Donnington, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "What does worry me is that with community breakdown, these sad sick people are free to wander with no one keeping an eye on them."

The man was granted unconditional bail and has been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register.

He will be sentenced on September 8 at Chichester Crown Court.


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