A SEX offender has been able to hang on to his council flat in a tower block full of families while he serves a nine-year prison sentence.
Michael Harris, 65, who raped a teenage boy, could now be forced to surrender his flat in Brooke House, Basildon, after the Echo told council chiefs he was still a tenant.
Harris, who was jailed in April, 2007, has been able to pay rent by direct debit through a private pension from his prison cell.
A journalist was alerted to his ongoing tenancy by Harris’s disgusted victim, now aged 45 and living in Devon. He said: “It won’t be safe for other kids when he returns. I don’t think he should be allowed back in the area.
“The flat is going to sit there for at least four and a half years when someone else could have it.
“I don’t think it’s fair the property is being left empty when there are a lot more deserving people who need homes.”
Harris, a former Basildon Hospital worker, was jailed after being convicted of 11 sickening sex offences against a teenager, including male rape, in Pitsea between 1975 and 1980.
Sarah Grant, 23, a single mum who lives in a neighbouring flat, spoke of her disgust the paedophile could be allowed to return to the tower block which is full of families.
She said: “I can’t believe he was living here while I was. It is frightening. No way should he be allowed back. I’ve got a three-year-old son here. They fill this block of flats up with mothers and kids. I’m disgusted. The council should have done more to stop this.”
Tony Ball, deputy council leader, who is responsible for housing, admitted the authority was unaware Harris was in jail.
He said: “We are working with police to take possession of the property now this has come to light. I thank the journalist for alerting us to this.
“It is not proper the flat should sit empty while people are on the waiting list. When released from prison he should have to register as homeless.”
Basildon Council’s housing waiting list currently has about 4,500 people hoping for a home.
