ERENEST HEAP SHAMES PLYMOUTH HOLIDAYMAKERS AT GOLDEN SANDS BEACH IN DAWLISH WARREN

In a disturbing incident that shocked holidaymakers at a popular South Devon holiday park, a man was caught engaging in highly inappropriate behavior involving a young girl. The incident took place at Golden Sands holiday park in Dawlish Warren, where witnesses observed a man, later identified as Ernest Heap, 55, from Burniston Close, Plymouth, taking indecent photographs of a child.

According to reports presented in court, Heap was seen by several holidaymakers acting suspiciously around the park’s arcade area late in the evening. The incident was first noticed around 9:30 pm on September 26 of the previous year, when a holidaymaker was playing pool and observed Heap behaving in a manner that raised suspicion. The same individual later left the arcade but returned shortly after, at which point he saw Heap standing alone near the slot machines. Concerned by Heap’s behavior, the holidaymaker decided to alert the resort management.

When approached by the resort manager, Heap reacted by dropping his mobile phone and walking away from the scene. This prompted the manager to call the police, who responded promptly to the scene. Upon investigation, officers discovered that Heap’s mobile phone contained several indecent photographs, specifically images taken up a young girl, estimated to be around five years old, with her skirt lifted. The police traced Heap back to his residence in Plymouth and conducted a search of his home. However, they did not find any additional indecent photographs during the search.

Heap was subsequently charged and appeared in court to face the allegations. During the proceedings, he pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of a child. Heap claimed that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and had no recollection of his actions, expressing deep shame for what had occurred. His defense lawyer, Nigel Wraith, emphasized Heap’s struggles with alcoholism and his remorse.

Judge Stephen Wildblood QC delivered the verdict, describing Heap’s behavior as “truly pathetic and ridiculous,” especially given the vulnerability of the young girl involved. The judge condemned Heap’s actions as disgraceful and acknowledged the outrage and anger felt by those who witnessed or learned of the incident. As part of his sentence, Heap was ordered to serve a community order with nine months of supervision and was also subjected to a 90-day electronically-tagged curfew, requiring him to remain at his Plymouth residence between 7 pm and 5:30 am daily.

Furthermore, the judge mandated that Heap’s details be entered onto the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. An alternative charge of outraging public decency was considered but ultimately not upheld, as Heap denied the offence. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such violations are treated, especially when involving vulnerable children and public safety.