ANDREW TAYLOR EXPOSES HIMSELF IN WHITSTABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD NEAR CANTERBURY SCHOOLS

In April 2012, a disturbing incident involving Andrew Taylor, a man from Whitstable, unfolded that drew the attention of local authorities and the community alike. Taylor, who is known to reside on Martindown Road in Whitstable, was involved in an unsettling act that targeted young schoolgirls in the vicinity of Canterbury.

According to reports, Taylor, aged 30 at the time, was observed by students outside the Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School in Canterbury. The students, waiting to be picked up by their parents, noticed Taylor sitting in his car. Through the passenger window, they saw him engaging in a lewd act, which was clearly visible to the young witnesses. The incident caused immediate concern among the students and their guardians.

Shortly after the girls alerted their parents and the incident was reported, Taylor drove away from the scene. The parents, alarmed by what they had witnessed, recorded his vehicle's registration number and contacted the police to report the incident. The authorities launched an investigation into the matter, which culminated in Taylor being questioned about his actions in November of the same year.

Initially, Taylor denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the girls had run out in front of his car unexpectedly. He stated that he had pulled over to the side of the road to compose himself and was merely adjusting his coat at the time. However, subsequent legal proceedings revealed a different account. Taylor eventually pleaded guilty to the charge of outraging public decency during his first court appearance before Canterbury magistrates.

During the sentencing phase, detailed reports from probation services were considered. Taylor’s solicitor, Max Reeves, provided context for his client’s mental state, explaining that Taylor was suffering from depression following a personal tragedy. Reeves stated, “The loss of their baby was also compounded by his own sister giving birth just two days later. He says it was building up inside him and triggered the offence but he still can’t explain why he acted in the way he did because he has no sexual interest in teenage girls.”

Reeves further noted that Taylor had since separated from his wife, who attended the court proceedings, and that he was undergoing treatment for depression with his general practitioner. Additionally, Taylor had been suspended from his employment as an IT consultant. The magistrates considered these factors and decided to impose a 30-month community and supervision order on Taylor. This order includes mandatory attendance at a sex offender programme and aims to monitor his behaviour closely to prevent any future incidents.

The Crown Prosecution Service clarified that they were not requesting Taylor’s inclusion on the sex offenders’ register, indicating a focus on rehabilitation rather than registration. The case highlights the serious nature of the offence and the importance of mental health considerations in the judicial process, especially when dealing with incidents involving vulnerable members of the community near educational institutions in Whitstable and Canterbury.