A shocking revelation has come to light as it was discovered that a convicted murderer, Rashid Zaman, had been working with children for almost two years despite being banned from doing so. Zaman, who served 15 years in prison for taking part in a fatal crime, began his involvement with children in 2021 through the national charity, St Giles Trust. Despite being added to the barred list in 2023, he continued working with children, visiting schools and young people’s homes.
The charity only became aware of Zaman’s status as a barred individual after receiving his most recent Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in March 2023. This check revealed that he was not permitted to work with children, prompting the charity to take immediate action. Zaman’s history dates back to a gruesome incident in 2001 where he was involved in the murder of Kevin Jackson, a father-of-two who tried to prevent a car theft.
The DBS checks are crucial in safeguarding vulnerable individuals against potential risks, especially in professions involving access to children. Despite the grave oversight in Zaman’s case, St Giles Trust reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding and reported the incident to the necessary authorities. The charity has since reviewed and reinforced its internal processes to prevent such lapses from occurring in the future.
The revelation surrounding Zaman’s work history has sparked concerns about the adequacy of safeguarding measures and the importance of employer involvement in reviewing DBS certificates. Alison Lowe, the region’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, emphasized the critical role of employers in ensuring the safety of communities, particularly children and young people. The Charity Commission has initiated an investigation into the serious incident reported by St Giles Trust, underscoring the significance of compliance and accountability in organizations working with vulnerable populations
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