A TEENAGER convicted of abusing a seven-year-old girl has moved to York with his family after allegedly being threatened in his home town.

The 16-year-old, who pleaded guilty at court last week to a charge of using lewd, indecent, libidinous practices and behaviour, will be sentenced in September.

The attack was said to have infuriated residents in his home town hundreds of miles away from York, forcing his family to relocate here.

York police have confirmed they are aware of his presence and are monitoring his activities, but say they do not consider him a community risk.

But the parents of the abused seven-year-old have spoken out to warn parents in York of the potential risk from a "sexual predator" who had abused their trust.

"What worries me is this family could end up befriending another young family with young children in York," said the child's heartbroken father.

"We just don't want it to happen to somebody else."

The law prevents the Evening Press from publishing anything which might lead to his identification, including the address where he is staying, because he is a juvenile offender.

The abused child's mother claimed there were insufficient deterrents to sex offenders. "What deterrents are there? They are hidden, their identities are hidden, they can move and relocate anywhere and their identity is hidden. They can start all over again, wherever they want to."

Susan Windle, a former York resident who has moved to the boy's home town, contacted the Evening Press to express concern about the abuser's relocation to York.

"I feel that residents of York have a right to know that yet another threat to their children has been deposited on their doorstep," she said.

Mrs Windle said she had been called for jury service in York some years ago and had had to sit through a child abuse case.

"The distress caused to parents and children was only too obvious. Perhaps it is time a firmer stance was taken to deter such offenders."

Last week's court hearing was told that the Sex Offenders Act applied, leading to the abuser's name going on the Sex Offenders Register.

Superintendent Alison Higgins, operations commander of York Police, said today: "I can confirm that he has been brought down with his family and is living in the district of York," she said.

"There is a multi-agency approach in dealing and supporting the family through social services and the management in place for sex offenders.

"We are managing the situation with the family, but can say that there is no community risk that we are aware of at this stage."

Updated: 10:49 Tuesday, July 29, 2003