KEVIN AUSTEN FROM WORCESTER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER NAIVE ASSAULT IN DOVER

In December 2002, a disturbing incident involving Kevin Austen, a 34-year-old man from Worcester, came to light following a series of troubling events in the Dover area. The case garnered significant attention after a vigilant member of the public reported witnessing Austen engaging in inappropriate behavior with an 11-year-old girl.

According to reports, the incident occurred in the Sheridan Road neighborhood of Dover in August 2001. A concerned witness observed Austen, who was lodging in the Dover vicinity, kissing and cuddling the young girl in a public space. The witness promptly contacted the police to report the suspicious activity, prompting an investigation into Austen's actions.

When questioned by authorities, Austen insisted that he was not doing anything wrong. He claimed that he loved children too much to hurt them, a statement that raised eyebrows given the circumstances. The police later learned that Austen was staying in the Dover area at the time of the incident. The young girl involved later confided in a teacher, revealing allegations of sexual assault, which Austen denied.

Further complicating the case, in February of the same year, Austen was seen in Whitfield Hill, Dover, where he encountered the girl again, along with two other boys. Austen took the children into his vehicle and drove them to Ashford, an act he later admitted he did without permission. This behavior was classified as a form of abduction, though it was described by a probation officer as 'technical abductions' due to the nature of the circumstances.

During the legal proceedings, Austen faced multiple charges, including one count of indecent assault and three counts of abduction. He appeared before Canterbury Crown Court to face sentencing. The prosecution, led by Catherine Donnelly, outlined the details of the case, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and Austen's actions.

In his defense, Austen's lawyer, Patricia May, acknowledged that his relationship with the girl had crossed boundaries of appropriateness. She suggested that Austen might have perceived the girl as more streetwise than her age warranted, possibly leading him to see her as older than she truly was. May emphasized that Austen denied any physical contact beyond kissing and cuddling, asserting that the public nature of the incident and police intervention had prevented any further misconduct.

May also highlighted Austen's naive immaturity and his genuine fondness for children, suggesting that his actions were influenced by loneliness, especially after his wife had left him. She pointed out that Austen was flattered by the attention from the girl, which may have clouded his judgment.

Judge Jonathan Langdon, presiding over the case, acknowledged that most mature men who commit such offenses are typically sent to prison. However, he noted that Austen's case had some mitigating factors. Recognizing Austen's lack of maturity and the borderline nature of his actions, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment. Instead, he imposed a three-year community rehabilitation order, which included strict conditions: Austen must not be left unsupervised with any child, cannot work with children under 18, and is required to attend a community sex offenders program. Additionally, Austen was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and pay £800 in costs.

Overall, the case highlighted the complexities of juvenile boundaries, maturity, and the legal system's approach to offenders with certain mitigating circumstances. Austen's case remains a reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the careful consideration courts must give to each individual situation.