Tower Hamlets Reporter
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Ian Devlin who was found guilty of the manslaughter of Shiblu Rahman in April 2001 has been employed by Ian Mikardo High School as an assistant since 2010. We are unsure how this information was released under data protection but parents have right to know.
Shiblu Rahman was stabbed in the chest and beaten outside his home in Bow. He was attacked at random as he was on his way home.
Shiblu Rahman was heard to say ‘Please stop, what have I done to you?’ to which the gang replied ‘Shut up you Paki’
Stephen Hansen, of Poplar, Terry Cooper, 18, from Bow, Ian Devlin, 17, from Poplar and Dean Cox, 23, of Leyton went to court for the murder.
Stephen Hansen was convicted of murder and imprisoned for 13 years. Terry Cooper and Ian Devlin were convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 9 years.
When Judge Richard Hawkins sentenced 17 year old Ian Devlin to nine years imprisonment for the racist manslaughter of Shiblu Rahman, he took the unusual step of allowing the killer to be named, even though he was under 18, saying that the crime was so serious that the public had a right to know who did it.
The judge said at sentencing: “I am in no doubt that this was a racially motivated attack by each of you.” He said Mr Rahman and had been a “loving husband and father”.
After the case, Det Supt Peter Ship said: “This could have been anyone – it was an opportunistic crime. They were drunk and nasty people in the area when they came upon a lone Asian man.
“The trigger point for this murder was that this man was Asian in that it was a purely racial motive.”
Ian Devlin has served his sentence in prison and is rehabilitated but his appointment in a school not too far from where the murder took place has caused a quiet uproar. Local people have questioned how a convicted murderer can be employed in a school.
Head teacher Claire Lillis said: “Ian Devlin has worked at the school for the last five years. He has been an excellent example of how a rehabilitated offender can contribute to his community and he is a valued member of our school community.
“The school took all appropriate checks and advice in appointing Mr Devlin and wish to support him in continuing to do the work which he has been legally appointed to perform.
“I am concerned that the reaction of the community to this news presents more of a safeguarding risk to our vulnerable children than his presence at the school and would urge local people to react in a calm and measured way.”
A spokeswoman for Tower Hamlets council said: “Ian Mikardo School has employed a rehabilitated offender who was subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and subsequent risk assessment. This helps employers make safe recruitment decisions and prevents unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. The member of staff has worked satisfactorily in his role and without incident for a number of years.
“The council recognises that this issue is one which is causing concern within the wider community. We are confident that the relevant checks were made prior to the individual’s appointment and there is no risk to children at the school.
“Families with children at Ian Mikardo school are welcome to discuss any concerns they may have with the head teacher or chair of governors.”
Source: Ted Jeory @ Independent
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