PAEDO REFS SHOWN THE RED CARD

Checks catch pervs

PAEDOPHILES, drug dealers and even a murderer have all tried to become kids’ rugby and football referees.

A total of 369 crooks with 2,007 convictions between them applied to officiate but were spotted thanks to background checks.

The figures reveal the extent to which offenders with serious previous convictions will go to in their efforts to work with youngsters.

Football Association and Rugby Football Union rules now state people applying to take charge of children’s matches must face the same background checks as teachers. And a PATRICK WILLIAMS Government department – the Disclosure and Barring Service – is weeding them out.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that among those barred was someone with a murder conviction and individuals with 105 actual bodily harm convictions.

There were four convictions for unlawful sex with a minor, three “flashing” crimes and two for possessing obscene material.

And there were 18 convictions for attacking police plus two counts of gross indecency with boys.

People punished for dealing heroin, crack, MDMA and amphetamine all fancied being refs, as did one person who was prosecuted for racist or indecent chants at a football ground.

There were several convictions for carrying illegal weapons, including guns and knives.

The Freedom of Information request found that 7,264 DBS checks had been carried out in the 12 months up to the end of last year.

Claude Knights, head of the charity Kidscape, said: “It is a sad fact that those who prey on children will seek to work or volunteer in environments that give them access to children.

“It is reassuring the majority are prevented from doing so by the Disclosure and Barring Service background checks.”