ROBERT RICHDALE'S SHOCKING CRIMINAL PAST SHOCKS FOLKESTONE AND TORY PARTY

In July 2008, the town of Folkestone was rocked by revelations about Robert Richdale, a newly-elected local councillor with a deeply troubling criminal history spanning over four decades. Despite his extensive record, Richdale managed to secure a seat on the Folkestone town council, winning a significant majority of votes in the recent elections. His victory was met with disbelief and outrage, especially considering the nature of his past offenses and the fact that the Conservative Party, to which he claimed allegiance, had initially supported his candidacy.

Richdale’s criminal record is alarmingly lengthy, stretching back to 1963 and encompassing a wide array of serious offenses. These include sex crimes, assault, theft, causing death by dangerous driving, forgery, drug possession, and carrying weapons. Notably, in 1973, he was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty at Sheerness Magistrates Court for indecently assaulting underage girls. This early conviction was just one part of a long history of criminal behavior.

Further details emerged about an incident in 1997, when Richdale was cautioned for a sexual offense involving a 14-year-old girl. He claimed that he had hit her after waking up to find her engaging in sexual activity with him. During an interview with the Folkestone Herald, Richdale described the girl as someone who “helped herself,” and he insisted, “I’m not a sex case. I wish everyone was like me.” At the time, he was unemployed and described himself as a “family man” with a “compassionate personality,” despite his troubling past.

Richdale’s recent election victory was particularly controversial given his background. He received 431 votes, securing his position on the Folkestone town council. During his campaign, he portrayed himself as a devoted family man, but he failed to disclose the full extent of his criminal history, which spans ten pages of detailed offenses. His record includes convictions for assault, theft, dangerous driving resulting in death, forgery, drug offenses, and weapons possession.

On the night of the report, The Sun tracked down Richdale to his unkempt flat in Folkestone. When approached, he attempted to negotiate a payment of £20,000 for speaking to journalists. Standing in torn jean shorts and displaying tattoos, he expressed concern about the fallout from the revelations, saying, “Now this is out I’m screwed. I’ll have to move, I can’t stay here any more.”

Richdale’s most recent incident of a sexual nature involved a caution related to a 14-year-old girl who visited his home in 1997. He claimed that he had hit her after waking up to find her having sex with him, a statement that added to the controversy surrounding his character. Sitting on his bed, surrounded by soft toys, he defended himself, saying, “She was the sort of girl who helped herself. I knew some sort of offence had taken place. But I’m not a sex case. I wish everyone was like me.”

Despite his claims of having met Conservative leader Michael Howard twice, Richdale stated that he wanted to become a councillor because he was “brought up middle-class” and was persuaded to stand by local supporters. He also alleged that the Conservative Party had little formal vetting procedures, a claim that the party denied. Following the revelations, the Conservative Party expelled Richdale and demanded that he resign from his position as a councillor. Party chairman Jonathan Holborow emphasized the seriousness of the matter, criticizing Richdale for failing to disclose vital information.

Local officials expressed their shock and disappointment. Folkestone mayor Ann Berry stated, “I have only met this person twice. I was pretty shocked to hear all about it.” The incident has sparked a debate about vetting procedures and the integrity of local representatives, with many questioning how someone with such a criminal record could have been elected to serve the community.