Nursery teacher gave paedophile lover secret passwords to child database, tribunal is told

DETECTIVE tells hearing Heather Greenwood’s relationship with child sex offender Allan Murray could have put kids at “enormous risk”.
A NURSERY teacher gave her paedophile fiancé computer passwords used to access information on kids, a misconduct hearing was told yesterday.

A senior detective told the panel that Heather Greenwood’s relationship with convicted child sex offender Allan Murray could have put kids at “enormous risk”.

Greenwood, 39, is accused of breaching rules by living with Murray and lying about their relationship.

And it’s alleged she gave him passwords for a computer database called GLOW – “a secure online community for pupils, parents and teachers”.

One of the charges against Greenwood says the database holds “personal details” of “service users”. It also includes webcam images from inside classrooms.

Murray served a two-year jail sentence after admitting the sexual abuse of a girl under 16.

He was on licence when he met Greenwood, a child development officer at Lamlash Nursery in Cranhill, Glasgow. They met online and started a serious relationship in June 2010.

Greenwood is facing a hearing of the Scottish Social Services Council, who register staff.

She was referred to as both a teacher and a nurse. Murray was referred to by initials.

In his evidence, Detective Chief Inspector John Weir condemned Greenwood for her relationship with the “devious” pervert.

He said: “Anyone who works with children is a sort of child protection officer. They will be well aware of the risks to children.

“Anyone in that profession who looks to solidify and continue a relationship with a convicted paedophile… well, it’s very difficult for me to comprehend and accept that.”

Mr Weir said child protection experts working under a system known as MAPPA – Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements – considered the nature of Murray’s crime and his relationship with Greenwood.

They decided the case was so serious, and the potential risk to children so great, that Murray should be put on a Sexual Offences Protection Order.

Police can ask the courts to impose such orders on offenders after their sentences if they feel they still pose a significant risk.

Mr Weir said: “A MAPPA meeting highlighted the fact that the offender was in a relationship with Ms Greenwood.

“We wanted to know what potential access did this give him to his target victim group.

“As soon as this was discovered we applied for a SOPO, which provides a list of conditions the offender must comply with. It restricts his opportunity to access potential victims.

“MAPPA considered that the nature of his offence and his relationship with Ms Greenwood, linked to her occupation, significantly increased the risk he presented.”

Police learned Murray had breached his licence by living with Greenwood without telling the authorities his new address. As a result, he was recalled to jail from March to December 2011.

Mr Weir said Murray was “deliberately devious”. And he said Greenwood helped him despite “knowing his status”.

He said: “In December 2011, Ms Greenwood had an awareness that her partner couldn’t have access to children under 17. But she was not fully sighted of his offence or licence conditions.”

Mr Weir said MAPPA officials believed Greenwood’s relationship with Murray had “huge implications” for her.

DCI John Weir condemned Greenwood for her relationship with the pervert DCI John Weir condemned Greenwood for her relationship with the pervert
George Mcluskie

He added: “She was keen to continue working with children, knowing her fiance was a convicted paedophile.”

Mr Weir said the distinction between a person’s professional and personal life “doesn’t apply in cases like this”.

He went on: “What if Ms Greenwood takes work home with her? She may have details about her children, birth dates and addresses for example.

“There’s a chance he could access that. It’s an enormous risk.

“Evidence also showed the offender was taking her to work and collecting her. He was going right into the nursery car park.

“This was an environment we wanted to steer him away from.

“Other parents and children may have seen him as Ms Greenwood’s partner or husband, and would have felt more at ease with him and started to accept him.”

The panel heard Greenwood was no longer with Murray. He has a new partner with no kids.

Greenwood claims she did not know Murray was a sex offender, and he told her he had been found guilty of fraud.

Her representative, Frances Connor, told the panel Greenwood asked police to tell them about Murray’s background, but they were not allowed to do so.

The hearing in Dundee continues.

Glasgow City Council said Greenwood had not worked at the nursery since 2011, when an investigation was launched.

She had been moved to clerical duties, pending the conclusion of the misconduct hearing and the council probe.