Parents throughout York are asking why the name of a man charged with some of the most sickening of crimes is being protected.

The media, and authorities have been prevented from reporting his name or the schools where he has worked. Even parents of the children at the schools where he has worked are denied his name.

The former primary school teacher charged with 23 offences involving children at three separate schools is living in an undisclosed location on conditional bail.

So why can’t we know his name? Which schools have employed him?

Without knowing his identity parents don’t know whether their children have had contact with him in the past, potentially preventing further alleged victims and witnesses from coming forward.

Police said he is charged with child sex offences which include possessing indecent images, voyeurism, making indecent images, sexual touching and sexual activity with a boy under 13 yet the accused appears to be enjoying the privilege of having his identity protected, a privilege that probably wouldn’t automatically be extended to others, not even royalty.

Beverly Charnock-Bates, Calderdale, West Yorkshire (formerly of York – where all my family still live)