RICHARD DAWKINS AND JAMES PANNEL SHOCK WORTHING AND SHOREHAM WITH PUBLIC INDECENCY OUTRAGE

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the communities of Worthing and Shoreham, two men were brought before the courts following a blatant act of public indecency that took place outside the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing on a Tuesday afternoon. The individuals involved, Richard Dawkins, aged 49, residing on Northbrook Road in Worthing, and James Pannel, aged 52, from Mansell Road in Shoreham, were both sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to the charges against them.

The incident occurred on April 23, and witnesses reported witnessing a highly inappropriate and distressing scene. According to an eyewitness statement, she was across the road from the two men when she observed one man standing in front of the other, who was seated on a bench. The witness described seeing the man standing engaging in oral sex with the man sitting on the bench, an act that caused shock and concern among the public.

The court proceedings revealed that Pannel, who has a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activity in a lavatory, had consumed approximately one and a half liters of vodka before sitting on the bench outside the Guildbourne Centre. His intoxication and previous criminal record were considered during sentencing. Dawkins, on the other hand, was found to be in breach of two ongoing community orders—one related to an assault on an emergency worker and another for convictions of theft and assault. These breaches added to the severity of his case.

Chairman of the bench, Ian Goodwin, emphasized the seriousness of the offence, citing several aggravating factors that warranted an immediate custodial sentence. He stated, “The nature of the offence was not pleasant and completed with complete disregard for the shock and distress you inevitably called to the public.” Mr. Goodwin also highlighted that both men were considered at high risk of future sexual offending and had limited engagement with probation services.

Although their sentences were reduced from an initial 24 weeks due to their guilty pleas, both Dawkins and Pannel will be subject to 12 months of supervision following their release. Additionally, they were ordered to pay a surcharge of £115 each. The case has left a lasting impression on the local communities, raising concerns about public safety and decency in busy shopping areas like Worthing’s Guildbourne Centre.