Caretaker facing child sex charges forced out by mob
A CARETAKER charged with child sex offences has been forced to leave his home on school grounds after protests from parents.
Caretaker Steven Garrott is accused of two counts of sexual assault
Steven Garrott, 57, is accused of two counts of sexual assault and three counts of attempted rape on a girl under 13.
He denied all the charges during a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court last month and was bailed pending trial in February next year.
His bail conditions allowed him to continue living at a house in the grounds of Icknield infant and nursery school in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. But he left the house after a 30-strong mob of angry parents gathered outside.
I saw him being escorted out of the house by a police officer
Head Jackie Egan wrote to parents today saying: “I want to assure you that Mr Garrott is no longer living on the premises.”
One mother said: “I saw him being escorted out of the house by a police officer.”
But a police spokeswoman denied that the move was sparked by fears for Garrott’s safety.
The caretaker denied all charges at Cambridge Crown Court
She added: “Re-homing him would be a matter for Hertfordshire County Council.”
The charges do not relate to the school but Garrott, who plays Santa at the school’s Christmas fair every year, was suspended from his job on March 31.
Police reportedly had to escort the 57-year-old from his home
A school spokesman said: “I would like to reassure parents that the school is working in co-operation with the police and county council and is committed to providing a safe environment for its pupils.
“We are unable to comment further due to the ongoing court proceedings.”
Garrott’s bail conditions ban him from having unsupervised contact with any child under 16.