In a legal first, local authorities in the city of Eindhoven have banned a convicted paedophile from the city after the end of his sentence. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting two boys aged 10 and 13, after an earlier conviction for a similar offence two decades ago.

"After my first conviction I was employed for twelve years by the Eindhoven council, working with teenagers. In the months preceding my second detention, I was cleaning playgrounds in the town of Grave. And now, all of a sudden, I have apparently become too dangerous to be allowed into Eindhoven. That is hypocritical and contradictory," the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told daily de Volkskrant.

Revenge attacks
Eindhoven mayor Rob van Gijzel said it is irresponsible to allow the man back into the city, citing fears of unrest and revenge attacks in the neighbourhood where he lives. A local council spokesperson told reporters on Tuesday that the ban is expected to stand up in court, "because the paedophile is refusing to co-operate towards a safe return. We want to prevent him from causing new suffering to the victims, or relapsing into his old behaviour. We're not confident the man has mended his ways. We're anxious about social unrest, and about his personal safety."

Amsterdam law professor Jon Schilder told de Volkskrant that such a ban has no legal basis. "The only thing local authorities can do is order more police surveillance and try to reach agreement with the paedophile on a voluntary basis," he said.

Appeal
It is the first time that a paedophile is banned from a city after his jail term. The man maintains that he has a right to return to his old address and is fighting the decision.

The paedophile served 27 months and was put on probation for a period of five years. The city of Eindhoven is only prepared to rent him an apartment if he withdraws his appeal, accepts the probation and subjects himself to electronic surveillance. In addition, the local authorities require him to stay away from playgrounds, schools, swimming pools, child daycare centres and sports facilities.

Silhouette of a man (stock photo)