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UK mom says she killed ‘pedophile neighbor’ because he preyed on her son

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A UK woman who was convicted of fatally stabbing her neighbor after learning he was a pedophile has reportedly revealed that her son was one of his victims.

Single mother of five Sarah Sands, 38, killed 77-year-old Michael Pleasted in his east London apartment weeks after discovering he had abused young boys. In 2015, she was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of loss of control and sentenced to three and a half years behind bars, but the sentence, which was referred to as “unduly lenient” was extended to seven and a half years by an appellate court. During her trial, it emerged that Pleasted had 24 convictions for sex offenses dating back over three decades.

“I did what any mother would do because he did this to my son Bradley, my little boy,” Sands stated before being released. “I never dreamt I’d be capable. I have no pride in it but at least I know he can’t hurt anyone else. I’m not a bad person but I know I did a bad thing. I’ve never denied that and I’ve been punished,” she said. “I’d never kill again. I don’t see myself as a murderer, but I don’t regret what I did. I was a mom desperate to protect my children,” Sands continued.

Sands spoke about the build-up to the attack. “I remember picking up a knife and I went to Mick’s. I wanted to persuade him to plead guilty so Bradley would not have to testify,” she said. “Mick opened the door and smirked. He was cocky and abrupt. He wouldn’t listen to me. He was cold. A different man to the one who’d been my friendly neighbor,” Sands said. “I poked him in his front with the knife and he grabbed me. I lost control. I couldn’t let anyone else get hurt — somebody had to protect people,” she said, adding that her warnings about the neighbor to police, social services and housing authorities were in vain.

In 2014, Pleasted offered her then-12-year-old son a job in the shop where he was a volunteer, said Sands, who thought it would be a good way for Bradley to earn some money. “Mick was a role model. I’d take him meals and we’d chat. I had no reason not to trust him. I thought Bradley was safe,” she told the outlet.

But Sands’ son soon lost interest in his job — and weeks later, she learned that Pleasted had been accused of molesting two kids. “I knew the boys. I didn’t doubt a word they said. It was awful. They were 12 — so young,” she said. “Bradley said nothing had happened to him but he had to give a video statement to the police because he had worked with Mick.”

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: NEW YORK POST

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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