THE mother of a York teenager who escaped an attempted abduction has spoken against a new ruling which gives paedophiles and rapists the right to challenge being placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Thousands of such criminals will be allowed to appeal for their names and addresses to be removed from the database after a controversial court decision.

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that placing sex offenders on the register for life without a right of appeal was “disproportionate”.

But the decision has sparked criticism from June Briggs, whose daughter, Natalie Hick, was the victim of an attempted abduction in Acomb, York when she was 13.

June said: “I am obviously against it. I have always been led to believe that paedophilia is an illness and they can not help themselves, so I can not see how this ruling can be enforced.

“How are we going to monitor them and protect children in playgrounds and parks? People may say it is their human right – but come on!

“Sometimes it is taken too far, especially where children are concerned.”

Natalie waived her right to anonymity to support The Press’s Change It! campaign.

The campaign led to changes which require child abductors to be put on the sex offenders’ register.

Under a review system, offenders would have to prove they no longer posed a risk to the public.

Currently, anyone sentenced to 30 months or more in prison for a sex offence is automatically put on the register indefinitely.

There are currently about 20,000 sex offenders in the UK who have received such sentences, including paedophiles and rapists.

Their name, address, date of birth and national insurance number are recorded, and they must inform police in person of any changes or if they wish to leave the country.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The details of the proposals will be announced in due course and we’re looking into it now.

“It is very sensitive so it’s important the proper safeguards are put into place.”

The Scottish government has already brought forward plans to allow convicted adults to seek a review after 15 years on the register. Also those placed on the register when under 18 years of age can seek a review after eight years.