Abuse victim condemns ruling

Kim Hawksworth says convicted paedophiles should never be freed

A woman sexually abused by a former teacher has spoken of her fury at a court's decision to release him.

Kim Hawksworth, 22, was seven years old when she was abused by Raymond Cullens at a school in Rochdale.

I think people are starting to forget exactly who the victim is here

Kim Hawksworth

She described as "absolutely disgraceful" the decision by the trial judge to release Cullens because he had been "named and shamed" in a Sunday newspaper.

Cullens, 51, walked free from court on Thursday because Judge Stuart Fish felt the man had had to "suffer considerable adverse publicity". He imposed a 15-month suspended sentence.

Cullens had a brick put through his window and a home-made poster with his picture and personal details stuck on his window.

His wife, Jennifer, lost her job after refusing to return to work.

The News of the World newspaper published details of his offences as part of a now-suspended campaign to "name and shame" convicted paedophiles following the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne.

Cullens was sentenced eight years ago to 30 months in prison for assaulting three girls at a primary school near Rochdale.

He was arrested again last year when a fourth victim, Miss Hawksworth, came forward.

To let him go free opens the floodgate for all paedophiles to plead not guilty

Kim Hawksworth

She told BBC Breakfast News: "To let him go free opens the floodgate for all paedophiles to plead not guilty at their trial.

"I think people are starting to forget exactly who the victim is here. The victim is not the paedophile at the end of the day."

She said all parents had the right to know where paedophiles were because they were "very dangerous people."

She said she did not believe they had a right to start a new life.

"These people should be punished just like the victim is punished. I don't think paedophiles are ever fit for release into society, paedophiles should be locked away and kept away from children."

She added: "I just want all people in Dorset to keep children well away from him, this man is a very dangerous man."