As a parent and resident of Hounslow, I have read with horror the media coverage of the Roy Whiting trial and breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a judge at Lewes Crown Court for the murder of eight-year-old schoolgirl, Sarah Payne.

I was equally aghast, however, to pick up my copy of the Guardian last week and discover that a sex beast is prowling in our midst ( 'Sex beast prowls for teenage girls' Guardian, December 13).

Let us hope that this fiend is caught soon, before he has the chance to abduct any other victims, and that when he is finally stopped, measures are put into place to prevent him from re-offending.

The revelation that Whiting was a known paedophile who had committed offences in the past must have sent a shiver down every parents' spine.

Measures must be taken to prevent these type of people from being able to offend again.

And, equally, let us hope that every parent now takes it upon themselves to inform their children however old of the dangers of accepting lifts from strangers.

In today's society, children must always say 'no' and report any such offers as a matter of urgency.

Sarah's murder was a terrible tragedy which shocked a nation.

Let us hope, however, that her death can provide us with some lessons.

Name and address supplied