NEIL CUTHBERTSON BECKENHAM PAEDOPHILE BRANDED A MENACE AFTER SHOCKING ATTACK AT HAMLEYS AND WAITROSE

In February 2017, Neil Cuthbertson, a 51-year-old man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after being convicted of multiple heinous acts targeting young girls. His criminal activities, which spanned over several years, have left a trail of trauma and concern within the community, especially in Beckenham and London.

The most notorious incident occurred on 8 November 2015 at the renowned Hamleys toy store located on Regent Street in London. During a busy day in the children’s section, Cuthbertson approached an 11-year-old girl who was accompanied by her mother and sister. As she watched a magic show, he took the opportunity to inappropriately touch her by pinching her bottom. The young girl, sensing something was wrong, turned around and found his hand inappropriately placed. Recognizing the oddity of his behavior, she instinctively moved away. Cuthbertson quickly withdrew his hand and fled the scene, disappearing from the store before anyone could catch him. However, security footage from the store captured his actions, leading to his identification and subsequent arrest.

The Old Bailey court heard that the victim was left profoundly distressed and confused by the assault. Her mother, in a heartfelt victim impact statement read aloud during the trial, described the lasting effects of the incident. She explained, “Since the assault, she sometimes has difficulty falling asleep, and I often find her in tears. She told me she can’t stop thinking about what happened, saying, ‘I can’t get that man out of my head.’” The emotional toll on the young girl was evident, highlighting the severity of the offense.

Cuthbertson’s criminal record was further scrutinized when he was arrested over a year later, following another disturbing incident involving an eight-year-old girl. This occurred in the aisle of a Waitrose supermarket within the Westfield shopping center on 28 November of the previous year. During this incident, he committed a sexual assault on the young girl, which was also captured on CCTV footage. Police investigations revealed additional evidence, including footage from his smartphone showing children ice skating at a public rink, further underscoring his predatory behavior.

Prosecutor Eloise Emanuel emphasized the aggravating circumstances of these offenses, particularly noting the locations involved. She stated, “Certainly in regards to Hamleys, that is choosing to go to a store where children are going to be.” The court was told that Cuthbertson’s actions demonstrated a clear pattern of targeting places frequented by children.

Judge John Bevan sentenced Cuthbertson to a total of 69 months in prison. During the sentencing, he described Cuthbertson as a “menace to young girls,” explicitly stating, “You are a menace, unfortunately, to young girls… you didn’t go to Hamleys toy shop by accident, you went there on purpose.” The judge also condemned Cuthbertson’s prior criminal record, which included a previous conviction for attempting to photograph naked young girls in Beckenham. That earlier offense, committed in June 2003, involved Cuthbertson, then 37, using a mobile phone to try to take indecent photographs of a 12-year-old girl through a changing room partition at the Spa in Beckenham Road.

Cuthbertson, who was not residing at a fixed address at the time of his latest convictions, pleaded guilty to sexual assault related to both the Hamleys and Waitrose incidents. He also admitted to breaching two sexual harm prevention orders. His sentences included 15 months for the attack at Hamleys, six months for the assault at Waitrose, and two consecutive 24-month terms for breaching the orders, reflecting the seriousness of his repeated offenses.

The court’s decision underscores the ongoing concern about individuals like Cuthbertson, whose actions pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of children in public spaces. His criminal history and recent convictions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and protective measures in safeguarding vulnerable young girls from predatory behavior.