RICHARD NORWOOD JAILED FOR INDECENT OBSERVATION AT FAVERSHAM AND ASHFORD POOLS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Ashford and Faversham, Richard Norwood, a 55-year-old man with a troubling history, was sentenced to prison for his inappropriate actions at a public swimming pool in Faversham. The incident took place on July 10, during what was recorded as the hottest day of the year, when Norwood deliberately visited the Leslie Smith Drive leisure complex despite being explicitly banned from such locations.

Norwood appeared before Canterbury Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 9, where he pleaded guilty to breaching a five-year sex offenders' prevention order that had been imposed on him in 2006. This order was originally put in place after Norwood was convicted of making and possessing indecent images of children. The court was informed that Norwood has a known preference for girls aged between 4 and 14, which added gravity to the charges against him.

His arrest followed a police visit to his residence in Ashford, where officers conducted a routine check and learned that Norwood had admitted to visiting the Faversham pool. The police confirmed that he had violated the restrictions set by his sex offenders' order. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Norwood’s attraction to children was influenced by a book about paedophilia he had read, which reportedly distorted his perception of appropriate behavior. He had previously expressed a desire to befriend children as young as three years old.

Norwood’s attitude towards his own behavior was notably dismissive; he refused to acknowledge that his desires were wrong and even suggested that the law should be changed to decriminalize his activities. Described by court officials as a loner, Norwood was also said to have been deeply affected by the death of his mother five years prior. His close relationship with her reportedly led to him being overly sheltered, with one court source stating she “wrapped him up in cotton wool.”

A psychiatric report, which was requested during the hearing on July 22, provided further insight into Norwood’s mental state. The report concluded that although he exhibited some erratic behavior and experienced prolonged periods of depression, he did not suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. This assessment was significant in understanding his capacity for judgment and behavior.

Throughout the proceedings, Norwood’s defense lawyer, Charlotte Collette, urged the magistrates to consider his early guilty plea and his cooperation with police, which she argued demonstrated his honesty and remorse. She pointed out that he had already served two months in custody—an experience he found extremely unpleasant, especially after being assaulted by another inmate. Collette emphasized that during his visit to the Faversham pool, Norwood did not attempt to approach or communicate with any children present, and she highlighted the psychiatrist’s opinion that his risk of re-offending was low.

Despite these mitigating factors, the magistrates determined that the severity of the offense warranted a custodial sentence. Norwood was sentenced to 120 days in prison but will serve only 65 days, having been on remand since July. The court also ordered that he continue to undergo psychiatric evaluation and be monitored by police authorities to prevent any future breaches of his sex offenders' prevention order. The court will review the order upon its expiration in September next year, considering whether to renew it based on his ongoing risk assessment.