Paedophile babysitter raped girl, five

A paedophile was able to rape a five-year-old girl he was babysitting because agencies failed to tell her mother he was a convicted sex offender.

A serious case review revealed a number of agencies failed to provide adequate protection for the child.

At the time of the attack, the man was receiving treatment and was being supervised by Cleveland Police and the National Probation Service Teesside and Durham.

Jane Humphreys, chairman of the Stockton-on-Tees Local Safeguarding Children Board, said: "Speaking on behalf of all the agencies, we are profoundly sorry for our failures in this case.

"We particularly regret we did not provide the mother of this child with information to enable her to adequately protect her daughter.

"We are continuing to offer support to the family.

"The well-being of children is of utmost importance and we deeply regret the impact this case had on the child.

"We fully support the report's recommendations and will continue to work in partnership across all agencies to address the shortcomings highlighted to strengthen the services we offer."

The man, from Billingham, Teesside, was jailed for six years at Teesside Crown Court last year after admitting five counts of rape.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and banned from recreation centres and from having contact with children.

While in contact with the young girl, he was undergoing sex offender treatment as part of a two-year supervision order imposed after he admitted child pornography offences.

He was being jointly supervised by Cleveland Police and the National Probation Service.

Today's report revealed there were clear failings by a number of agencies to consider the protection of the child and undertake a full assessment of risks.

"It is important to note that the girl's family were not known to any service prior to the arrest and conviction of the adult male," the report states.

However, it notes that "her views and those of her mother were not sought by any professional" and adds: "There were clear failures to consider the protection of the girl and undertake a full assessment at the point agencies became aware of the original offending.

"The seeking and sharing of information is fundamental to effective child protection."