RONALD BROWN FROM STOKE PRIOR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL INCIDENT INVOLVING TEENAGER IN WORCESTER

In a case heard at Worcester Crown Court, a 76-year-old man from Stoke Prior, Ronald Brown, was found guilty of inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity, following a series of disturbing events involving a 13-year-old girl. The incident began when Brown approached the young girl in a local park near her home in Stoke Prior on June 3 of the previous year. During this encounter, he made an inappropriate and sexual remark, asking her if she wanted "to suck his lollipop," a comment he later admitted to police was of a sexual nature.

The girl, understandably distressed by the encounter, left the park with a friend. However, the following day, Brown returned to her residence, knocking on her windows in an apparent attempt to contact her again. The girl responded by locking her door and calling a friend for support, effectively preventing further contact. Despite her efforts to avoid him, Brown's persistent behavior caused significant concern.

Prosecutor Sally Hancox detailed that Brown's actions extended beyond this incident. She revealed that he had a long history of sexual misconduct, including a conviction for indecent assault dating back to 1953. Additionally, he had been repeatedly convicted of indecent exposure between 1954 and 1977. These past offenses underscored a pattern of inappropriate and illegal behavior.

Brown's mental health was also a significant factor in the case. He suffers from schizophrenia and has a documented psychotic disorder along with a personality disorder. His defense attorney, Adam Western, argued that Brown's offending had diminished over the years due to the use of anti-psychotic medication and close supervision by psychiatric services. Western emphasized that psychiatric support had been reduced in recent years, which he suggested contributed to the recent incident in the park.

Judge Andrew Geddes acknowledged Brown's long history of social misconduct, describing him as a "social pest." The judge noted that Brown could have faced a custodial sentence but took into account his mental health issues. Instead, he sentenced Brown to a three-year community rehabilitation order and ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register for five years. The judge emphasized the court's primary duty to protect children from adults who seek to exploit them sexually, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and intervention to prevent further harm.

In his remarks, Judge Geddes expressed concern over the defendant's past and present behavior but also recognized the importance of balancing punishment with mental health considerations. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in managing offenders with complex psychological conditions while safeguarding vulnerable members of the community.