Essex police say mob searching for paedophile Leslie Blanchard got the wrong house

By Nick Thompson, Reporter Wednesday, July 28, 2010
5:00 PM

AN ANGRY mob that descended on the suspected home of a convicted paedophile “got the wrong house” according to Essex Police.

Groups of people have been spotted on an estate in Great Dunmow which was rumoured to be the location of paedophile Leslie Blanchard’s home.

Blanchard was convicted in 2009 for being in possession of indecent images of children. His location was revealed last week when James Bulger’s killer Jon Venables was in court facing charges of possessing and distributing indecent images.

On Monday (July 26) a car, believed to be owned by Blanchard was pelted with eggs and flour. ‘Paedo’ posters were also placed on the vehicle’s windscreen.

Later, a group of people were spotted hurling abuse at a flat which they thought was the home of the sex pest.

Police moved in to disperse the crowd and a spokesman told The Broadcast that they had got the wrong place.

He said that police could not deny that Blanchard was living in Dunmow but added that staff and officers could not disclose his exact whereabouts.

“We don’t discuss details of individual cases,” said the spokesman. “He is currently managed closely by Essex Probation and Essex Police, complying with the community order made by the courts.

“We have carried out two search warrants on his property and a police car was positioned outside. No further charges have been made.”

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