JAMES WHITTARD STRUDD SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT IN THE ACT AT OSCAR WILDE PLAY IN STROUD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stroud, James Whittard, a known sex offender with a troubling criminal history, was found to have deliberately flouted court orders by infiltrating an amateur dramatics group and taking a leading role in an Oscar Wilde play, all with the apparent intent of getting close to a teenage girl cast member.

Whittard, aged 20 and residing on Lower Street in Stroud, had previously been subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which explicitly prohibited him from joining any organization or group that could bring him into contact with children. Despite this, he deliberately breached this court-imposed restriction in what authorities described as an 'opportunistic and predatory manner.'

According to the court proceedings, prosecutor Julian Kesner detailed how Whittard showed an active interest in the 15-year-old girl involved in the production of 'Importance of Being Earnest.' Even before officially joining the cast, Whittard inquired about her age and asked whether he would be allowed to kiss her as part of the play. During rehearsals and performances, he displayed overly familiar behavior, including hugging her multiple times, which raised concerns among other cast members.

One witness, a woman involved in the production, later recounted her confrontation with Whittard, stating, “I can recall saying to Jim ‘She is a lot younger than you and your behaviour is intimidating. You need to back off.’ He replied ‘Yeh, OK.’” This exchange highlighted the inappropriate nature of his conduct and the awareness among others that his behavior was concerning.

Whittard ultimately pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual offences prevention order by knowingly joining the amateur dramatics group where a minor was present. The court heard that he had been warned about his conduct but chose to ignore these warnings.

Judge Euan Ambrose sentenced Whittard to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to be under supervision for the same period. Additionally, the judge replaced his existing sexual offences prevention order, which was set to expire in May 2017, with a new ten-year order that will remain in effect until 2025. Whittard was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the next decade and pay costs amounting to £200 along with a surcharge of £100.

The judge emphasized the seriousness of Whittard’s actions, stating, “You knew from the beginning that there was a teenaged girl in the cast. You were described as being over friendly towards her, hugging her on occasions and asking her for her mobile phone number. You were warned about that behaviour by another cast member.”

This case is part of a broader pattern of criminal activity involving Whittard, who was previously convicted in January 2012 for thirteen offences related to inciting children under 16 to engage in sexual activity and five charges of making indecent images of children. During that earlier case, it was revealed that he had tricked 13 children, including 12 boys and one girl, into exposing themselves on webcams while he watched. The offences spanned over two years, with victims aged between 10 and 17.

Whittard’s criminal activities came to light after the mother of a 10-year-old boy became suspicious and posed as her son in a conversation with him, leading to his exposure. His previous sentence included a three-year supervision order and mandatory sex offender treatment.

Most recently, in October 2014, Whittard faced court again in Stroud on charges of breaching his sexual offences prevention order by joining a theatre group, which brought him into contact with minors. He appeared before the town’s magistrates’ court and did not enter a plea, with the case scheduled for further hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on November 28.

These incidents underscore a troubling pattern of behavior by Whittard, whose criminal record and recent breaches highlight ongoing risks to the community, especially to vulnerable minors in Stroud and surrounding areas.