RICHARD THORNTON FROM BEVERLEY AND BRANDESBURTON SPARED PRISON AFTER SHOCKING SKIRT-PICTURING INCIDENT

In a disturbing case that has left the local community in Beverley and Brandesburton deeply unsettled, Richard Alexander Thornton, aged 19, was involved in a series of heinous acts targeting young girls. The incident that brought him to justice occurred on April 28, 2010, when Thornton, a former photography student, followed a four-year-old girl around the Tesco supermarket in Beverley.

During this unsettling encounter, Thornton used his Apple iPhone to secretly take photographs up the girl’s skirt, an act that was ultimately witnessed by her father. The father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, acted swiftly by detaining Thornton within the store on Morton Lane until police arrived to take him into custody.

Further investigations revealed that Thornton was in possession of a staggering 210 indecent images of children, some of which depicted young girls being subjected to sexual assault. This discovery added a grave dimension to his criminal profile, highlighting a disturbing pattern of behavior.

While on bail for the initial offense, Thornton’s misconduct did not cease. It was reported that he visited Sessions Spa in Beverley for a haircut, during which he committed a sexual assault against a girl. These actions compounded the severity of his case and underscored the ongoing threat he posed.

At Hull Crown Court, Thornton pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault, taking indecent photographs, and eight counts of making indecent images. His sentencing resulted in a two-year community order, requiring him to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program. Additionally, he was mandated to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order.

This order explicitly prohibits Thornton from having unsupervised contact with children and grants police the authority to examine his computer if there is any suspicion of reoffending. Despite these measures, the father of the young girl expressed profound disappointment and concern. He voiced his belief that Thornton should have received a custodial sentence, stating, “We thought he would get a custodial sentence. We are horrified that he has been let out. It is worrying for my wife and I to think there is a weirdo like that walking around on the streets. My wife is petrified she might bump into him.”

He further criticized the leniency of the sentence, emphasizing that even a short prison term might serve as a deterrent and send a clear message to others involved in similar activities. “By freeing him it’s like saying they can take the risk to do things like that,” he added.

Judge Michael Mettyear, presiding over the case, acknowledged the gravity of Thornton’s actions but also highlighted the importance of professional help for rehabilitation. He remarked, “You took a picture up the skirt of a four-year-old child in Beverley. It must have been terribly worrying for the little girl’s parents. I bear in mind you have spent 107 days in custody and an immediate custodial sentence could only be comparatively short – measured in months not years. You would be released fairly quickly and nothing would be done to prevent you from re-offending.”

Following his arrest, Thornton made the decision to withdraw from his photography course at the University of Edinburgh, indicating the personal toll and consequences of his criminal behavior. The case has sparked widespread concern among residents of Beverley and Brandesburton, with many questioning the adequacy of the sentence handed down and the ongoing safety of their community.