Sex offender killed child after evading authorities by changing name

A convicted sex offender murdered a 13-year-old girl after evading the authorities by changing his name, a report revealed yesterday.

Tim Cuffy, whose actual name is Tim Barnett, was able to move from another area to live with a woman and her three children in Lincolnshire without the knowledge of statutory agencies by changing his name, the serious case review states.

Cuffy murdered Sandy Hadfield in July 2002, after she came round to visit one of his partner’s children. He was released from prison around two years beforehand after serving a string of sentences for burglary, theft and assault. These include the indecent assault and assault of a girl in 1992.

He is believed to have been living in the Derby area before moving to Licolnshire in 2002, when he used a different name.

The report, which was produced by Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board, says this meant his dealings with the police, schools and social care services in the area did not lead to an identification of his offending history.

www.communitycare.co.uk/childprotection