BRIAN RUSSELL'S REPEATED BREACHES IN WESTCLIFF: CLOWN CRYING IN COURT AS JUDGE ORDERS HIS COSTUME DESTROYED

In December 2014, a disturbing case unfolded at Basildon Crown Court in Essex involving Brian Russell, a man known locally in Westcliff as Joe Joe the Clown. Russell, aged 52, found himself in tears as the court issued a stern order for the destruction of his clown outfit, a measure aimed at preventing further breaches of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) that had been imposed on him.

Russell’s history with the law concerning sexual offences is long-standing. He had previously been cautioned for indecently assaulting underage girls in North Yorkshire and Northern Ireland, which led to the issuance of the SOPO in 2003. This order explicitly prohibited him from working with children, yet despite these restrictions, Russell continued to pursue his career as a children's entertainer, a role he was passionate about and had been involved in since his early days, coming from a family with a background in the travelling circus.

On that particular Friday, Recorder Gerard Pounder, presiding over the case, expressed his disappointment with Russell’s blatant disregard for the court’s orders. The judge emphasized the importance of obeying such directives, especially considering the potential risks involved. He remarked, “Mercifully nothing has happened but you disobeyed this order. Parents are entitled to expect people to obey these orders. One can imagine the feelings of the parents when they discovered someone who is subject to a sexual offences prevention order was acting as a clown on various occasions — at a restaurant and a school.”

The court was informed that Russell had been caught breaching the SOPO on multiple occasions. Despite the restrictions, he was seen in his clown costume at the Green House pub on Eastwood Road North in Leigh on April 6, 2012, where he was offering balloon art services. Additionally, a swimming teacher at Earls Hall School in Carlton Avenue, Westcliff, recognized him and asked for his assistance in distributing leaflets for an upcoming school event. Subsequently, Russell managed to infiltrate the school environment as a balloon artist and children's entertainer on three separate occasions: June 5 and July 19, 2013, and again on July 19, 2014.

His presence at the school and in public venues was not unnoticed. A member of the public recognized him during one of his appearances and promptly contacted the police. Further breaches were documented at the Green House pub on March 29, 2013, August 3, 2013, April 4, 2014, and July 19, 2014. Despite the clear prohibitions, Russell’s persistent violations demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court’s authority and the safety of the community.

In light of his repeated breaches, the judge ordered the destruction of Russell’s clown outfit, a symbolic and practical step to prevent him from continuing his work as a children's entertainer. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which authorities treat violations of protective orders, especially when they involve individuals with a history of sexual misconduct and a pattern of flouting legal restrictions. Russell’s case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial systems in safeguarding vulnerable children from individuals who seek to exploit their trust.