Local college owner could endanger others
The principal of a college in West Kensington has gone on the run after being suspected of paedophilia.
And the judge who issued a warrant for his arrest warned that the fugitive could be 'radioactive' and a danger to people he came into contact with due to his treatment for a thyroid condition.
Doctors believe Tom Leopold's radioactivity level could be dangerous for up to six weeks after he was treated with what is thought to be iodine on February 3.
Tom Leopold set up the private college at Blythe Hall School in Blythe Road in 1993 to offer individual tuition to children who were struggling with school.
He denies five counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing 87 such images on or before April 25 2006.
Police first arrested Leopold in July 2006 but he skipped bail and was later convicted of failing to attend court and fined £250.
His case was originally due to be heard in October 2006, but due to his ill health it was delayed.
Leopold, who runs a private tutorial college called The Tutors Group in Hammersmith, West London, is facing five charges of downloading indecent images of children dating back to 2006.
He went on the run on February 5.
Southwark Crown Court heard that he skipped bail four days before his trial to board an overnight ferry to Ireland, under the nose of the police.
Police first arrested Leopold in July 2006 but he skipped bail and was later convicted of failing to attend court and fined £250.
His case was originally due to be heard in October 2006, but due to his ill health it was delayed.
Leopold was stopped by Special Branch officers on February 5 at Fishguard in Wales after boarding a ferry to Rosslare. Officers questioned the suspect, but they released him after he showed them his radiation card and said his bail conditions had been varied to allow him to visit his mother in Ireland.
He has not been seen since.
March 5, 2009
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