Foreign killers on loose: Police demand action
Review into murder case prompts call for law change
SENIOR police officers have called for newlaws forcing foreign offenders to declare their convictions on entering the UK.
Themove follows a review into the murder of mother-of-three Mary McLaren – the latest in Scotland to be committed by a foreign national with a criminal record.
It has been revealed officers knew about Patrick Rae’s violent sexual past before he raped and murdered Ms McLaren in Dundee in February 2010, but did nothing to stop him roaming the country unmonitored.
Police had known for up to five years that he had a string of previous convictions, including rape and sexual assault, before he killed Ms McLaren and dumped her body on a roundabout.
He was a registered sex offender in the Republic of Ireland but was allowed to enter Scotland undetected under European Union freedom of movement rules that put offenders under no obligation to reveal their past.
The same rules allowed Moira Jones’s murderer Marek Harcar and Jolanta Bledaite’s killer Vitas Plytnykas into the country despite their previous convictions for violence.
The review by Lothian and Borders Police recommends consideration be given to new legislation that would compel foreign nationals to reveal their convictions – a suggestion that has been backed by opposition parties.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “There is no question sex offenders coming into the UK should be subject to the same monitoring.
“The idea that they can wander around unchecked because of their nationality seems incredible.
“A number of issues have been highlighted in this report, none of which will be any consolation to this woman’s family. We know sexual offenders are likely to reoffend, which makes it all the more imperative they are closely monitored.”
Rae, 42, was first brought to the attention of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary (DGC) in July 2005 when he was reported missing in Stranraer. At that time, An Garda Siochána (the Republic of Ireland police force) revealed to officers that he was a registered sex offender with a string of previous convictions.
However, when Rae was found safe a few days later, no further action was taken. The rapist then returned to Ireland for a period before being stopped and checked at Stranraer Port, again by DGC officers, in July 2009.
Then, in December 2009, he was arrested in Stranraer for a breach of the peace. DGC could have applied to the court for a notification order that would have forced him to suffer the same restrictions as those on the Scottish sex offenders register, but
We know sexual offenders are likely to reoffend, which makes it all the more imperative they are closely monitored
failed to do so. Rae then resurfaced in Aberdeen in January 2010 and Grampian Police submitted an application for a notification order, but itwas not served on him before Ms McLaren’s horrific death.
Despite the failings, Tayside Police said responsibility for the 34-yearold’s death “lay squarely” with Rae, but that lessons could be learned from the case. Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman, added: “This was a shocking case which posed serious questions about the robustness of our systems to monitor dangerous individuals who come to Scotland.”
Hesaid lessons needed to be learned to ensure therewas a “proper” joinedup approach to protect the public.
Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson, of Tayside Police, said: “It is Rae and Rae alone who is responsible for his actions. It is because of men like Rae that the Scottish Police Forces and our law enforcement partners overseas are more determined than ever to deny itinerant criminals such as Rae the opportunity to commit crime.”
The report by Lothian and Borders Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone made 15 recommendations, including improved links between Irish and British police and the consideration of legislation forcing foreign nationals to reveal any sexual convictions on entering the UK.
The UK Government refused to reveal whether itwas considering such legislation. A spokesman said responsibility for notifying the UK of an immigrant’s crimes lay with the country inwhich theywere convicted.
AScottishGovernment spokesman said: “Should existing measures such as notification orders and SOPOs [Sexual Offences Prevention Orders] need to been hanced or supplemented, the Scottish Government will, of course, consider what legislative changes it can make.
“The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is working with the Scottish Police Services Authority, An Garda Siochana and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to help us strengthen existing procedures between forces across Scotland and overseas police services.”