GERARD THOMAS CAUGHT IN BRIDGFORD LEISURE CENTRE SCANDAL: VICTIM 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL SURVEILLED AT RUSHCLIFFE ARENA

In January 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded at a leisure centre in Nottingham, specifically at the Rushcliffe Arena, involving Gerard Thomas, a 49-year-old man from West Bridgford. Thomas was caught secretly recording a 12-year-old girl in a private cubicle, an act that has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about safety and privacy at public recreational facilities.

According to court reports, the young girl was at the leisure centre with her family when she noticed something unusual through a gap in the cubicle she was using. She observed a mobile phone being held up, which immediately raised her suspicions. Recognizing the potential danger, she looked down and saw a rucksack and trainers nearby, which helped staff and authorities identify the individual responsible.

Staff at the arena quickly responded to the situation, alerting police and taking steps to monitor the suspect. The police arrived and detained Gerard Thomas, who initially denied having a phone with him. He claimed that he was using the device to look for a sock he had dropped, a story that was later contradicted by forensic examination of the phone.

Investigators recovered an indecent video of a child from Thomas’s mobile device, which was recorded on October 17. The police arrested him and questioned his actions. During the court proceedings, Thomas admitted that the phone must have inadvertently started recording while he was attempting to recover some socks, but the evidence clearly indicated otherwise.

In court, the young girl expressed her distress, stating, “Ever since it happened, I have not wanted to go swimming and neither have my family. I was very confident before and this has gone down since this happened. It makes me feel sad and embarrassed. On the day, I felt so shocked and confused. I hope he is punished for what he has done.”

Judge Tim Devas, presiding over the case at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, acknowledged the emotional harm caused by Thomas’s actions. Although there were no physical injuries, the psychological impact was significant. The judge ordered Thomas to pay the girl £1,500 in compensation, emphasizing that the mental scars would persist for some time.

Gerard Thomas was sentenced to a 32-week prison term, which was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £115 in government tax and £85 in prosecution costs. The court also imposed a community order, requiring him to complete 20 activity days with probation to reflect on his behaviour and the serious consequences of his actions.

Furthermore, the court placed strict restrictions on Thomas’s activities for the next five years. He is prohibited from entering swimming pools, gyms, leisure facilities, and public changing areas while carrying a mobile phone or recording device. He is also barred from having unsupervised contact with any girl under the age of 16, aiming to prevent any future incidents of this nature.

Sanjay Jerath, the prosecutor, detailed the events of October 17, noting that the incident occurred while two children, including the victim, were present with their grandmother. The girl’s quick observation and the staff’s vigilance led to Thomas’s identification and subsequent arrest, highlighting the importance of community awareness and prompt action in safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse.