ANTHONY WHITEAR'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN RHYL: HOTELIER'S DARK PAST OF SEX OFFENCES AND LICENCE LOSS

In a series of disturbing incidents that have rocked the seaside town of Rhyl, Anthony Whitear, the owner of the Marlborough Hotel, has been at the center of serious criminal allegations involving the sexual assault of teenage girls. These events span over several years, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that has led to his conviction, loss of his hotel licence, and ongoing legal consequences.

Back in May 2005, Whitear faced significant legal repercussions when he was convicted of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl. As a result of this conviction, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and received a two-year community rehabilitation order. The police subsequently moved to revoke his hotel’s licences, citing concerns about his suitability to operate a hospitality establishment. The Denbighshire magistrates withdrew both his residential and restaurant licences for the Marlborough Hotel on Rhyl’s East Parade, citing his criminal record and the potential risk to public safety.

Prior to these convictions, in December 2004, Whitear had pleaded guilty at Mold Crown Court to two separate offences involving underage girls. One involved indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl, and the other involved engaging in sexual activity with another 13-year-old. These offences prompted him to be classified as a sex offender, a status he was required to maintain for five years. The incidents reportedly occurred when the girls, some of whom had run away from home, visited his hotel seeking accommodation. Whitear, then 51, allegedly allowed them to stay at a reduced rate, claiming the 16-year-old girl looked older than her age. Court documents detailed how he invited the girls into his private quarters, where he touched one girl on her leg and asked a 13-year-old if she had ever slept with anyone, further compounding the severity of his misconduct.

Fast forward to 2011, Whitear’s troubling history resurfaced with new allegations. In July of that year, he was brought before Prestatyn magistrates accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, aged 16 and 17, during a visit to his hotel on April 5 as part of a tourism project. The girls recounted that Whitear had initially fetched a brochure for them and, while writing details on it in the hotel’s kitchen, he rubbed his hand against the younger girl’s leg. She initially thought it was accidental, but when it happened again, she became visibly upset and tried to push her friend out of the room. As they headed towards the front door, her friend felt someone’s hand stroking her arm. The girls also reported that Whitear asked if they wanted to make some money, to which they inquired about the purpose. His response was disturbing: “Some sexy time, kissing and cuddling.”

The girls returned to their training centre visibly upset, and their tutor reported their distress to the police. Whitear, who owned the Marlborough Hotel, denied the allegations, dismissing them as “rubbish” during cross-examination. However, the court found the victims’ testimonies to be credible and consistent. The chairman of the magistrates, David Davies, stated that the evidence was compelling enough to warrant a conviction for two counts of sexual assault by touching. Whitear was subsequently bailed to appear at Mold Crown Court on August 11, where he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Adding to his criminal record, in August 2012, Whitear sent a letter to the magazine ‘Inside Time,’ in which he expressed his frustration over what he described as an “unjust” conviction. This letter was part of his ongoing attempt to contest or appeal his previous sentences, highlighting his continued engagement with the legal process and his own perception of his guilt or innocence.

DC Andy Pendleton commented on Whitear’s case, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses. He stated, “Whitear is a serious offender who has shown no remorse for his offences against the teenage girls concerned. This offence showed a striking resemblance to his previous convictions in 2005 and evidences he failed to learn from his rehabilitation.”

Throughout these years, Whitear’s actions have had profound consequences not only for his personal life but also for his professional standing. His hotel’s licence was revoked, and he was forced to dismiss staff members under the age of 18. Whitear admitted that he had ceased accepting guests under 21, attempting to distance himself from his past misconduct. Despite this, the damage to his reputation and the safety concerns raised by his criminal history have persisted.

In summary, Anthony Whitear’s case in Rhyl underscores the ongoing issues related to sexual misconduct, the importance of vigilant law enforcement, and the devastating impact such crimes have on victims and communities alike. His history of offending, coupled with his attempts to defend himself publicly, paints a stark picture of a man whose actions have left a lasting scar on the town of Rhyl and its residents.