Furious locals have forced a convicted sex offender to flee their small town under police escort after learning about his dark past.
Damien Bell, 53, was chased out of Port Pirie, 220km north of Adelaide, after locals found he was recently released from jail for possessing child exploitation material.
Under the cover of darkness on Monday night, officers ushered Bell into a police van as residents yelled for him to be kicked out.
Footage captured the dramatic moment with neighbours seen standing on the street and yelling at him, happy to see the back of the cop car.
The 53-year-old offender had been living close to a primary school, and the area is known to be popular with families and young children.
He did not breach his parole conditions and is not accused of any wrongdoing, but was taken from the community for his own safety.
Port Pirie has a population of around 14,000 and it did not take long for locals to get wind of Bell’s disturbing history.
In the days leading up to his eviction, Port Pirie residents shared his information online – including a car he was often seen in.
Bell uses his online social media platforms, like Facebook, to preach about Jesus.
One of his key topics is forgiveness.
‘For those who don’t know, he died for us, for our sins,’ Bell said in one clip.
However, Port Pirie locals said they weren’t willing to overlook Bell’s criminal history.
Several said Bell shouldn’t have been allowed to live in such close proximity to a school given his past of child sex abuse.
However, the parole board noted Bell did not commit any offences that physically involved contacting or approaching children, 7News reported.
One requirement of his release does prevent him from loitering near schools.
Port Pirie residents labelled his actions ‘completely disgusting’.
‘We should’ve been notified about it and he shouldn’t be so close to a school,’ local Josh Radcliffe said.
Another local, Paul Oaklands, said: ‘We’re asking for a town that is predator-free. That’s all we want, somewhere for our children and our grandkids as well.
‘It’s still an offence, it does not matter where it’s online, physical … any crime committed against a child is unacceptable by the community.’
The online reaction to Bell’s forceful removal was largely positive.
‘Well done to all involved. These people commit crimes that destroy their victims lives. The victim gets a life sentence, so should the offender,’ one wrote.
‘Now that’s a community united. Congratulations to all of you, we’re all behind you on this,’ another said.
‘Good on them! Shouldn’t be anywhere around families or a school!’ another wrote.
‘It’s stories like this that make me proud and ashamed all at the same time to be from Port Pirie,’ another added.
A SA Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to a home following a ‘disturbance’.
‘Police were called to Jensen Street, Risdon Park on Monday 17 March by reports of a disturbance between a group of local residents,’ he said.
‘The group dispersed after patrols arrived. There were no reports or arrests made.’
Bell’s mother confirmed he is no longer living in Port Pirie.