I was saddened to read the report (Oxford Mail, April 8) under the headline “Relief at the death of a paedophile”.

There is another side to this story. Dan was one of many children ‘in care’ transported to Australia after the war. Both in the children’s home in Britain and at Fairbridge farm in Australia, he was repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse.

Like many victims of such abuse, he became an abuser himself and ended up in jail.

His wife Maxine married him while he was still in prison and when he was deported to Britain, left her family in Australia to be with him.

Thanks to her love and courage and the support of the Christadelphians who welcomed him into their community, Dan was, at last, able to live a normal, blameless life.

The sexual abuse of children is a horrible crime, and, of course, parents are concerned to protect their children.

However, there are better ways than hounding a former offender out of the neighbourhood.

Dan was monitored by two police officers who had a good relationship with him.

He also participated in the ‘circles of support and accountability’ programme initiated by Quakers to rehabilitate and monitor released sex offenders.

Former offenders who live openly in the community with this kind of support are far less likely to re-offend than those who are driven into isolation.

In his last years, Dan was no threat to children and was sincerely mourned at his Christadelphian funeral.

Lorna Watson, Fisherman’s Wharf, Abingdon