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‘Paedophile’ row divides farriers

Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor

13 April, 2007

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A row has broken out among farriers after a man who admitted downloading pornographic images of children has been allowed to train into the profession.

The UK Horseshoers Union (UKHSU) expressed its outrage after the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) last month gave the man the all-clear to continue his farriery apprenticeship.

"This is the most appalling decision I've ever heard," said UKHSU treasurer and FRC council member Peter Baker. "As a father of five, I find it preposterous."

In August 2002 the man, whom H&H has chosen not to name, admitted downloading more than 400 images. At the time, he was placed on the sex offenders' list, but he comes off it in July.

Former FRC registrar Miles Williamson-Noble told H&H: "I genuinely believe this man is no threat to the public."

At a public FRC meeting on 7 March, members voted in support of Mr Williamson-Noble's decision to allow the man's apprenticeship to continue. As a result, the UKHSU has hit back in its forthcoming spring newsletter.

In an article headed "Miles smiles on paedophiles", the UKHSU states: "Farriers are left in a position of trust on clients' premises where children live and play."

Mr Williamson-Noble explained that in 2002 the judge did not ban the man from working with children, but said it would be inappropriate for him to go into people's homes. Mr Williamson-Noble said he was governed by FRC regulations.

"The council, through its disciplinary committee, has the power to suspend or remove from the register a farrier guilty of serious misconduct in a professional respect," said Mr Williamson-Noble. "When this matter came to light, the interpretation of 'professional respect' did not relate to an individual's private life."

He said "professional respect" has now been defined more widely to include "bringing the profession into disrepute" and "putting the public and horses in danger", but that the change cannot be applied to cases that have already been decided.

Because the man is an apprentice, his case was not heard by the disciplinary committee but decided by Mr Williamson-Noble after consultation with the investigating committee and chairman of the FRC.

"We looked very carefully at this, and have ensured this man's present employer is fully aware of the background. I would look to the employer to use his common sense," said Mr Williamson-Noble, who added that he is a father of two and grandfather of three. "We take very seriously our responsibility to protect the public, but can only do so within the confines of the law.

He added: "Parents have a responsibility for supervising their children and the circumstances they are in. When is a farrier different to any other tradesman?"

But UKHSU vice-president Giles Holtom told H&H: "Now, or at some time, this man will be shoeing ponies held by little girls without supervision. Children are often left alone with a farrier — it is a position of confidence."

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (12 April, '07)

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