Former Cunard worker pleads guilty to sex offences

Tuesday, 23 Apr, 2012 0

A former Cunard employee has pleaded guilty to abusing boys in his care while working as a children’s activity supervisor.

A number of offences were committed while Paul Trotter worked on board Cunard ships between 2007 and 2011, Swindon Crown Court heard.

Trotter, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, will be remanded in custody pending sentencing on May 11. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Cunard President Peter Shanks said afterwards: "Paul Trotter was able to avoid detection despite all of our youth staff, including Mr Trotter, having had their criminal records checked. We have closed circuit TV on board all of our ships, including all of the children’s clubs, and our own rules dictate that a minimum of two members of staff are to be with children at all times.

"Our safeguards were strict but sadly did not stop this one individual from managing to circumvent the system and manipulate those around him. We are now working with the NSPCC and have already identified changes in three key areas for improvement.

"Firstly, we have changed our recruitment procedures. Secondly, we will introduce new training for youth staff and management positions. Thirdly, we have already improved onboard supervision of youth centres, including the introduction of spot checks by onboard senior officers.

"We want to make sure that our policies and procedures are as robust as they possibly can be and therefore we will implement immediately any other recommendations that the NSPCC makes to improve our policies and practices."

By Diane Evans

Diane

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