A seaside Butlin’s resort has been found to be employing a convicted paedophile from South Africa.
Dean Carelse, 43, has been working at the Minehead branch of Butlin’s in Somerset for close to a year.
Two years ago Carelse was convicted of several charges of indecent acts against children in Queensland, Australia. Following the conviction, Carelse was deported from the country.
What’s more, investigators claimed to the Australian Broadcasting Commission that he was linked to an alleged paedophile ring in South Africa.
Before he worked at Butlin’s, Carelse was a sports coach in South Africa before working in water polo and schools around Australia.
Later, he was caught taking photos of children in swimming gear at a school sports carnival, reportedly groomed a 13-year-old boy and messaged minors on social media.
In a police raid soon after, 2,000 images and several recordings of children were found at his home.
Following his deportation from Australia and despite his convictions, Carelse was able to get a job at the popular holiday resort where he worked for 10 months.
According to the Telegraph, Carelse presented documents to Butlin’s to show he had passed a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
After Butlin’s was contacted by an Australian journalist about the matter, Carelse was fired by the resort.
Speaking to ABC, a spokesperson for Butlin’s said that after receiving the claims they had investigated immediately after which Carelse was fired.
The spokesperson explained: “The team member falsified information on their application.”
They added that while there had been no complaints about Carelse during his time at Butlin’s they would be reviewing how it checks new staff members.
According to Butlin’s online job portal applicants for the lifeguard position must say whether there are “ongoing criminal proceedings we should be aware of” or if they have “any unspent criminal convictions”.
Furthermore, the application form for some of their jobs states: “Due to the nature of some of our roles at Butlin’s, you may be required to undergo a DBS check as part of your employment.”
In one advertisement they claimed that staff would “promote and run poolside activities, creating memorable experiences for our guests”.
Express.co.uk has sent Butlin’s a request for comment.
