A Convicted criminal given community service work at a mid-Essex primary school later committed an indecent assault on a child.

Essex Police and Essex Probation Service have commissioned a joint independent review after they learnt that Ian Missing, 23, was working at the school in the county town as an odd-job man.

The courts gave him the job as part of a community punishment order for common assault on an adult.

During the time he was working at the school, Missing, of Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, admitted sexual touching of a child.

At Chelmsford Crown Court he admitted the charge. The case was adjourned for sentencing pending reports and he was remanded in custody.

The offence did not take place at the school where he was working.

Police and probation services have promised to look into how the situation came about and are aware everybody, including the girl's parents, want answers.

Chelmsford MP Simon Burns today said there had been a "major breakdown in communication."

"It seems as though the police and probation service have had trouble in communicating," he said.

"There are questions which need to be answered which include why a man with the background of Ian Missing should be undertaking work in a school anyway.

"The family of the girl is understandably upset and rightly so."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Essex Police and Essex Probation Service share the concerns of the young girl's family as the safety of the community, particularly the safety of children, is paramount.

"Essex Police and Essex Probation Service are determined to find how the situation came about and are looking to establish if there are any loopholes."

"To demonstrate the seriousness, Essex Police and Essex Probation Service are commisioning an independent review."

The school did not wish to comment on the situation.

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Published Friday, November 18, 2005

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