Counter Pedophilia Investigate Unit

By Tiffany Mayer, OSPREY NEWS NETWORK - Her official job title is hostess at the Russell Avenue Community Centre. But Grace Black would say “a little bit receptionist, a little bit secretary” would also do when it comes to describing what she does.

“It’s really a little bit of everything,” said Black, who has worked at the centre for 2 1/2 years.

Two weeks ago, a little bit of everything included tipping off authorities that a person with the same name as a person convicted of assaulting children was frequenting the centre, which is also a popular spot for youth.

Now a St. Catharines city councillor wants to recognize Black with a letter from council expressing gratitude for the job she does at the centre.

“She did her job and she may have protected some innocent children from something happening. You never know,” said Coun. Bruce Williamson.

Williamson called Black Wednesday to say thanks.

Black said a man enrolled in an aerobics class at the centre told her about a story that appeared in The Standard on July 26 about convicted pedophile John Inglis trying to sell his Port Dalhousie home.

Inglis, 62, pleaded guilty in 2006 to four charges: sexual assault, gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault against four boys, including one from St. Catharines.

He was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day, including 15 months of house arrest with conditions that he wasn’t allowed to have any contact with people under the age of 18 without another adult present.

His sentence ended in April and is followed by two years’ probation. Inglis has lived in St. Catharines since 2000.

Someone named John Inglis was enrolled in the aerobics class, which Black said also had teen students.

The same person had been enrolled in aerobics at the centre for seven months, had also taken a yoga class last fall and was registered for another one this coming fall.

The aerobics class runs five days a week, including day and evening classes.

“I just went crazy,” Black said. “I just proceeded to tell everyone I could. … This building is always full of children. There’s always a children’s program going on. We’re right beside the park. They’re always here.”

The man has since stopped coming to the centre and Black said she feels a huge sense of relief.

“I’m glad I was listened to,” she said. “There’s a whole bunch of little kids here, and when you work at a community centre, you get to know them. … You really care about them. I feel the children are a bit safer.”

Niagara Regional Police arrested Inglis Friday on charges of breaching probation.

He was released on recognizance July 26 and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26.

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