Lambeth Council denies culpability over paedophile employee (From Streatham Guardian)

Lambeth Council denies culpability over paedophile employee Jason Hoyte

6:20pm Wednesday 18th November 2009 in News By Matt Watts

Lambeth Council has denied any culpability after young teenagers were groomed for sexual activity by a man leading a part-council funded youth project held on council property.

Jason Hoyte, of Bromley, was the director of a private youth project that was given a £75,000 grant by the council to help its running costs. It also held its youth sessions in Nettlefold Hall, West Norwood.

The 37-year-old musician was found guilty last week of two counts of sexual activity with a child, both related to when he was running the youth project between 2004 and 2006.

He was also found guilty of 14 unrelated counts of indecent assault on young girls that took place in the 1980s and early 90s.

During his trial the court heard how he groomed the two girls - one who he had full sex with - through the youth project and a church in Brixton where they were all members of the congregation.

Hoyte, who was also a direct council employee as a library administrator with a role which demanded no direct contact with children, will be jailed next month.

Concerns have been raised about whether the council, because of its relationship with the project, could have done more to prevent the offences.

Conservative councillor Graham Pycock, who has been appointed to run a commission investigating parts of the children and young person's services, has called for an investigation.

A council spokesman said: “Lambeth Council has strict and robust policies in place to protect children and young people. Although Hoyte had no direct contact with young people through his job, and committed most of these offences through his association with a church, the council carried out an internal review to ensure our safeguarding procedures are as robust as possible."

The spokesman said although he did not work with children as a council employee, Hoyte was suspended on July 15, 2008 from his position as soon as the allegations arose. He was dismissed on October 27, 2008 when charged.

The spokesman said Hoyte abused his position as director of a private organisation providing youth services to commit the offences.