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.

Read more:
Sexual assault claims to be part of care review after investigation
Care worker warned for dragging woman along floor after fall

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

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.

Related posts:

London Bridge terrorist lawfully killed by police, inquest jury finds German security staff ‘may camp on beach’ after COVID outbreak shuts G7 hotel Radio ‘giant’ Jonathan ‘Jono’ Coleman dies aged 65 Queen sends good luck message to England team – and recalls memories of 1966 World Cup win Will Southgate bring it home? Who should start? Final predictions ahead of Euro 2020 final Man guilty of murdering schoolgirl at family’s Chinese takeaway in Wales UK announces rise in COVID deaths and cases as latest 24-hour figures revealed ‘Surreal’: Charles delights Prince’s Trust members by icing cupcakes during visit with pop star Cheryl British police help save woman in danger more than 3,000 miles away BBC apologises and pays Diana’s private secretary ‘substantial sum’ over way Bashir obtained 1995 interview ‘Burn in hell’: Paedophile who blackmailed girls as young as 12 into becoming ‘sex slaves’ jailed Spectacular photos capture Northern Lights across the UK