Concern at Surbiton connection to rapist

It is being reported that a man has been convicted of two rapes, one of which was committed while he was on bail for the other rape and living in the Surbiton YMCA.

 

The two women gave evidence from behind curtains at the Old Bailey and the jury gave a guilty verdict for both rapes.  The man, named as Bobby Lee Urwin, had earlier denied rape.  The first woman had contacted the second to warn him that he had previously attacked her, but the second woman trusted him when he denied it.

 

This has obviously been a terrible ordeal for the two women involved and we wish them all the best with getting their life back together.  The man will be sentenced on 20th October.

 

However, for the local community there are obvious other concerns.  Should people be on bail if they are suspected of such serious crimes?  Are residents of Surbiton under being put under higher risk of crime by housing such people at the local YMCA?

 

On the first point, I guess that not all suspected criminals can be locked up without being found guilty.  The legal system simply takes way too long and we should remember that they are innocent until proved guilty.

 

On the second point, I don't know the answer.  I guess that there isn't a way of restricting the whereabouts of people with spent convictions or those not yet convicted and on bail.  We must be careful when talking about the YMCA, as they carry out an invaluable service for the homeless and honest people who are in genuine need.  They also take an active role in the local community through the gym and other events, including the Surbiton Festival. 

 

The YMCA can't be expected to be responsible for every person who lives in their building.  It is short-term housing, so the inhabitants will be constantly changing.  However, there remains a genuine concern at the potential for a concentration of people with convictions or on bail to be living there.

 

 

 

 

Photo: alan_cleaver