CHARLIE STEINE RAMSGATE SEX OFFENDER SHARES COURT SELFIES AFTER SPARING JAIL TIME IN CRIMINAL CASE

In October 2023, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Charlie Steine, a known sex offender from Ramsgate, who publicly displayed a blatant disregard for the seriousness of his recent legal proceedings. Shortly after being sentenced in Canterbury Crown Court, Steine took to social media to share selfies taken during his court appearance, an act that not only demonstrated poor judgment but also constituted a contempt of court.

Steine, aged 23, had appeared before the court to face charges related to the sexual assault of a teenage boy in Ramsgate. During the hearing last Friday, Judge Mark Weekes acknowledged the victim and his parent’s display of understanding and insight into Steine’s behavior, which occurred on June 25 of the previous year. Despite the gravity of the case, Steine was handed a suspended sentence, a decision that appeared to frustrate many observers.

Prosecutor Suzanne Fewins provided detailed testimony about the incident. She explained that the teenage victim, who had previously seen Steine begging in Ramsgate, was approached by him asking for 20p. The conversation then took a disturbing turn when Steine began questioning the boy about his sexuality and asked him to rate his appearance. The victim, feeling uncomfortable, responded with a modest “Six out of 10,” but Steine’s behavior escalated. He requested a hug, which he then exploited to molest the boy and kiss his neck. The victim described feeling frozen and unsure of how to react, and when he tried to walk away, Steine followed him, attempting to exchange Snapchat details.

The victim expressed that he was worried and wanted to get home, repeatedly shouting “no” as Steine persisted. The incident was reported to the police, and CCTV footage led to Steine’s arrest eleven days later at his grandmother’s residence. During police interviews, Steine claimed he could not remember the events of that day and denied any sexual intent, asserting he was not gay. Despite these claims, he later pleaded guilty to the charges on the first day of trial in July.

Following his conviction, Steine received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. The court also mandated him to complete 20 rehabilitation activity sessions and a 12-month drug rehabilitation program. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for ten years. Despite the serious nature of his crimes, Steine expressed gratitude to the judge as he left court and immediately began sharing selfies taken both inside and outside the courthouse on his Facebook profile. In a post earlier that day, he had announced his presence at Canterbury Crown Court, and when questioned by a friend about the reason, he responded, “For having to say guilty for something I was innocent of, how crumbled the system is.”

Later, Steine reflected on his past, describing himself as a “very bad naughty druggy boy” who had now become “such a different person.” His social media activity also included a video sent to someone in an apparent attempt to provoke a fight, shouting, “Come here now and scrap me d***head.” This series of actions underscores a troubling pattern of behavior and a blatant disrespect for the judicial process, raising concerns about his ongoing rehabilitation and community safety.