TREVOR CATOR FROM CROMER CAUGHT LYING TO WORK AT NORFOLK HOTELS

In a case that has raised serious concerns about transparency and safety, Trevor Cator, a 62-year-old resident of Summerhouse Close in Cromer, found himself at the center of a legal dispute after he was discovered to have concealed his criminal past while seeking employment at prominent hotels in North Norfolk.

In March of the previous year, Cator applied for a position as a kitchen porter with Mackenzie Hotels, a well-known hotel chain operating the Sea Marge Hotel in Overstrand and the Links Country Park Hotel in West Runton. The application process, which appeared routine on the surface, concealed a troubling truth: Cator was still under the obligation to register as a sex offender, a status imposed upon him in 2016 following a series of disturbing incidents.

Prosecutor Richard Paterson outlined the details of Cator’s past, revealing that he had been convicted of serious offenses, including spying on two young girls in a cubicle at a holiday park in Hemsby. Additionally, Cator had exposed himself to a 41-year-old woman while she was fishing at Filby Broad. Police reports also indicated that he had been seen loitering around women’s toilet blocks and campsites, behaviors that raised significant alarm among law enforcement authorities.

Despite these convictions, Cator failed to disclose his criminal history when applying for the hotel job. It was only after his employment was underway that the hotel staff became aware of his past, leading to his immediate dismissal. Prosecutor Paterson commented on the situation, stating, “Oh well, it was five years ago,” in a tone that underscored the gravity of the oversight.

Further investigation revealed that Cator had earned nearly £9,000 from his work at the hotels before being dismissed. His employment also constituted a breach of his sexual harm prevention order, which explicitly prohibited him from working in environments where he could come into contact with young staff members or guests. The hotel, unaware of his criminal background, had unwittingly employed a convicted sex offender, raising questions about the vetting process.

During the court proceedings, Cator admitted to charges of fraud and breaching his sexual harm prevention order. Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced him to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years. The judge issued a stern warning that any future breach of his conditions would result in immediate imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness of his violations and the potential risk posed to the community.