A sex offender was today due to be re-housed today after angry residents petitioned Bradford Council.

Stephen Hall, 41, was given a two-year probation order by Bradford magistrates after he admitted carrying out acts of gross indecency on three young children.

Hall, who says he is terminally ill and confined to a wheelchair, was living at his home in Rokeby Gardens, Greengates, where the offences took place.

He has been placed on the national register of sex offenders and he has to complete 20 sessions at the Bradford Child Sex Abuse Perpetrators Project.

Residents and relatives of his victims have voiced outrage at his sentence, which they have called "a disgrace".

More than 40 people have signed a petition which was this morning handed in to the housing office in Ravenscliffe Avenue.

Police had mounted a 24-hour watch over his home for his own protection.

A resident who has helped organise the petition said: "More than forty people have signed the petition in less than eight hours.

"The sentence is a disgusting and we would like to see this man moved out of the area."

Hall today refused to comment, but earlier said he deeply regretted what had happened.

He said the incidents took place over a six-month period in 1995 to 1996 and were "moments of madness".

He also said he pleaded guilty to the offences to protect the children from having to give evidence at crown court.

The father of one of his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said:

"I think the punishment is a disgrace and he should not have been allowed to come back to his house.

"I can't bring myself to face the situation."

Councillor Jim O'Neill, deputy chairman of housing, said: "Mr Hall is to be offered a removal for his own safety after advice from the police.

"Anyone who commits an offence while in Council property automatically has their tenancy agreement reviewed and I have launched an immediate inquiry."

Hall claims he is confined to a wheelchair because of a smoking-related condition called Buergers disease, angina and arthritis. He said he has also suffered several strokes.

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