ANDOVER CCTV GUARD ANDREW RICE SENTENCED FOR INDECENT ACTS ON BOURNEMOUTH BEACH

In July 2005, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Andrew Rice, a security guard based in Andover, who exploited his position to commit a serious breach of trust on Bournemouth Beach. Rice, aged 26 at the time, was employed as a CCTV camera operator and used his access to surveillance equipment to secretly record three young girls, aged eight and nine, as they undressed in public.

According to reports, the girls had towels wrapped around their waists as they removed their swimming costumes and changed into underwear on the beach. Unbeknownst to them, Rice took advantage of his role to focus his camera on their private moments, capturing footage without their knowledge or consent. The incident came to light when his replacement at the CCTV control center reviewed the recordings and noticed unusual activity, prompting further investigation.

It was during this review that authorities discovered Rice’s inappropriate actions. The footage revealed that he had deliberately targeted the young girls, raising serious concerns about his conduct and the breach of privacy and safety. Rice was subsequently charged with making an indecent image of a child, a serious offense under the law.

Despite maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty to the charges, Rice was found guilty by the bench on May 31. The court proceedings culminated in a sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Magistrates Court, where Rice faced the consequences of his actions. The magistrates sentenced him to 200 hours of community service, a penalty that was to be completed over the course of 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years and was required to pay costs amounting to £300.

During the sentencing, Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, the chair of the magistrates, emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that Rice could have faced a jail sentence for his misconduct. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness with which such breaches of trust and violations of privacy are regarded under the law.

Following the conviction, Bournemouth Council issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high standards among their CCTV operators. They explained that all operators undergo rigorous background checks, including police clearance, and that the system in place is designed to monitor and prevent abuse of authority. The council confirmed that Rice had no prior criminal history and was not known to the police before this incident, highlighting that the breach was an isolated occurrence detected through their monitoring procedures.