Inquiry launched on Oxford paedophile David Cullen (From Oxford Mail)

David Cullen: Call for better handling and monitoring of paedophiles

8:12pm Wednesday 26th November 2008 in News

David Cullen was jailed for 28 sexual offences against children

An inquiry has been launched into how an Oxfordshire paedophile jailed for preying on young boys was allowed to offend again.

The “serious case review” into the management of David Cullen, 48, formerly of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, was commissioned by the local safeguarding children board and announced by a Government minister during a Commons debate.

Cullen was given a life sentence at Oxford Crown Court earlier this month after admitting 28 sexual offences against children — including rape, sexual assault and taking and distributing indecent images.

He had raped one of his victims while on bail.

Reading East MP Rob Wilson, who represents a constituent whose son was among Cullen’s victims, used the debate to demand “better handling and monitoring of paedophiles”.

He said: “David Cullen was a high-risk, highly dangerous paedophile and well known to all the local agencies, yet he managed on numerous occasions to offend and re-offend, imparting desolation and destruction on families as a result.

“I am in no doubt the police did not fully disclose information about David Cullen to [my constituent] and her son.

“The authorities knew David Cullen was one of the most dangerous men in Britain, as far as children were concerned.”

Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said: “It is important this process takes its course and that we find out whether there are wider lessons to be learned.”