An “abhorrent” Slovakian national has been jailed for three years and will be deported after propositioning a 13-year-old boy in a supermarket toilet. Foreign national Peter Kantor, 47, propositioned and made sexualised comments towards a 13-year-old boy in the Asda toilets in Colne, Lancashire, earlier this summer.
Burnley Crown Court this week heard how the brave victim reported Kantor to security staff and pointed him out as he exited the store. The description provided by the victim and the security guard allowed Lancashire Police to track the suspect on CCTV leaving Asda and going into other stores and identify him.
It comes as the Express revealed last month how the Government is expanding the “Deport Now, Appeal Later” scheme to reduce the number of overseas offenders languishing in UK prisons.
Criminals from 23 countries could be kicked out under the scheme, which allows them to appeal via videolink. This is up from 8, the Home Office said. But of the new countries only India is among the top 10 nations by number of offenders in this country.
The then Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on.
“That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.”
While the then Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said last month: “We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country.
“Under this scheme, we’re investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.”
Lancashire Police said dangerous predator Kantor awas arrested at his home on in Nelson, Lancashire, on August 18th and searches there found the clothing he was wearing during the offence – and the manbag and notebook seen on CCTV tucked into his gilet.
Kantor, of no fixed address, was later charged with causing / inciting a boy 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.
He pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court on September 16th then returned to the same court on Thursday this week where he was jailed for three years.
He was also made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The Border Agency will be notified of the outcome of the case and Kantor, who is a Slovakian national, will be eligible for deportation once the custodial element of his sentence has been served.
DC Charla Devereux, from Burnley CID, said: “First and foremost I want to praise the victim in this case who showed incredible bravery and clear thinking in reporting Kantor to the security guard soon after the incident had happened.
“This allowed work to start straight away to identify Kantor and bring him to justice.
“Kantor is a dangerous individual who brazenly targeted a child while he was isolated in the toilets. I welcome the conviction, and the fact Kantor will continue to be monitored after he is released from prison.”
DS Josh Boswell, from Burnley CID, said: “A dangerous man has been taken off the streets of East Lancashire and that is in no small part to the quick actions of the victim and Asda security staff, followed by the tenacity of Burnley CID Team 1 and supported by the community of Pendle.
“Abhorrent behaviour, such as that displayed by Kantor, will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.
“If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual offence report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call 101. You should do so knowing you will be believed, you will be listened to, and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts.”
