Butlin’s sacks convicted paedophile who worked as children’s lifeguard for 10 months | UK News

A convicted paedophile worked as a children’s lifeguard at a Butlin’s resort for 10 months after checks failed to catch his record.

Former teacher and water polo coach Dean Carelse, 43, has been sacked from the Minehead resort in Somerset – with the resort claiming he had given false information on his application.

His employment emerged after an ABC News Australia investigation tracked Carelse – whose crimes included grooming a 13-year-old boy for sex – to the holiday park in Exmoor.

Butlin’s told Sky News in a statement a background check did not flag any concerns in the hiring process and immediately investigated when the report came to light.

“As part of our recruitment process and in line with government guidance, we carried out an enhanced DBS check and right to work status which came back clear,” a spokesperson said.

The statement added: “The team member falsified information on their application, and we can confirm they no longer work for us.”

The holiday park chain also said there have been no complaints or issues raised against Carelse and that additional checks would be carried out on existing staff, as well as future applicants.

According to ABC News, South African national Carelse was arrested in 2021 after police in Australia recovered more than 2,000 child exploitation images and indecent recordings of students at a swimming pool.

He pleaded guilty to almost 20 charges in Queensland in 2022 and was deported to South Africa last year, but he has had no restrictions placed on his movements since.

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A UK criminal records check did not list Carelse as having any previous convictions, according to ABC News, which reported he was also not listed on the “Children’s Barred List” of individuals forbidden from working with children.

His convictions are also said to include 14 counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 while he was a teacher and coach at an Australian school in the late 2010s.