Man removed from flat after sex offender tale confirmed

Warning letters were anonymously posted through letter boxes in Camperdown Street and surrounding areas alleging that a sex offender had moved into Lawrence House, a housing scheme for the over-55s owned by Rother Homes.

Following the anonymous letters, police received a number of calls from concerned residents and a window to a flat in Lawrence House was smashed.

Tenants worried about the allegation contacted Lord Brett McLean, chairman of the 1066 Federation of Small Businesses and close ally of Lawrence House, who took up their concerns with Rother Homes management.

After two telephone calls Amicus Horizon, owners of Rother Homes, sent Sussex region communities manager Mike Thompson and a senior housing officer to talk to Lord Brett and some of the tenants about the allegation.

It was confirmed the allegations were accurate and the individual, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was then removed from the scheme.

Police took the man, who was in his mid-60s, to an alternate location, believed to be in somewhere in Brighton.

Lord Brett McLean said: "Rother Homes acted inappropriately by allowing this man into a scheme where young children often visit their grandparents.

"Although he was being regularly monitored by police, probation and the prison service, once news was released about this individual it caused a panic with some of the older tenants and this is extremely unfair, especially for elderly people who wish to retire and have a peaceful life.

"More importantly the anonymous letter alerting local residents failed to give the actual flat number of this man and therefore in my opinion put the entire scheme in a vulnerable position, hence possibly why the window was broken at one of the flats at Lawrence House."

Bexhill Police confirmed the incident had taken place but declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Rother Homes said: "Rother Homes, part of Amicus Horizon, can confirm we are working with the police and other partner agencies on this matter. Staff have been on hand to deal with queries and are visiting residents at Lawrence House.

"Rother Homes is committed to the safety and well being of all our residents."