EDWARD PRIOR SHOCKS BUSHY PARK AND TEDDINGTON WITH REPEATED SEX OFFENCES AND BREACHES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Edward Prior, an 80-year-old resident of Fulwell Road, Teddington, has been repeatedly linked to sexual offences involving young boys and breaches of court orders. His latest conviction came after he was found in Bushy Park with an image of a girl, a clear violation of his sexual offences prevention order, leading to his imprisonment for four months.

Prior’s criminal history is extensive and troubling. In 2014, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after a disturbing incident on a bus where he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy. During his arrest, Prior was heard to exclaim, “Oh God, not again,” highlighting his awareness of his pattern of offending. The court heard that Prior had previously committed similar offences, including a conviction in 2008 for indecently assaulting two young boys in Bushy Park. Although he was initially spared prison and placed on a community order, he failed to comply with this order, which resulted in a subsequent jail sentence in 2012 for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy.

His criminal record reveals a pattern of predatory behavior. In 2008, Prior was convicted of molesting three young boys in Bushy Park, including a nine-year-old and an 11-year-old, which led to a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Despite this, he was released and later committed further offences, including groping an eight-year-old boy’s genitals while he was cycling through Duke’s Head Passage in September of the previous year. The court, presided over by Judge Fergus Mitchell at Kingston Crown Court, emphasized that the only effective way to protect children from individuals like Prior was through incarceration, citing his inability to control his impulses.

During the September incident, the young victim was swimming with his mother and sister at Hampton Pool when Prior, who had been observing the boy, followed him and groped him through his clothing. The boy reported the assault to his mother, leading to Prior’s arrest later that night at his home. Police discovered a notebook containing pictures of naked children and a plastic bag with similar photographs during the search. Prior initially denied touching the boy but pleaded guilty to sexual assault at the start of his trial in January.

Further investigations revealed Prior’s history of offending, including groping an 11-year-old boy through his shorts during rugby training in February 2008 and fondling a nine-year-old at a football practice shortly thereafter. Police found him in possession of photographs depicting naked children and a used condom. Despite previous sentences, including a three-year community order and a six-month jail term for failing to comply, Prior’s behavior persisted, prompting the court to impose a lengthy custodial sentence to safeguard the community.

Throughout his legal battles, Prior has expressed a desire for treatment, claiming difficulty in controlling his urges. His defense argued that he was remorseful and sought help, but the courts have consistently found his actions to pose a significant risk to children. His repeated breaches of court orders and ongoing offending underscore the urgent need for strict supervision and incarceration to prevent further harm. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders like Edward Prior, whose actions have caused significant distress to multiple victims and their families in Bushy Park, Teddington, and beyond.