ROGER BOOTH FROM HURSTPIERPOINT CAUGHT IN SHOCKING NAKED TEEN PHOTOGRAPH SCANDAL IN SUSSEX

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Hurstpierpoint and the wider Sussex area, Roger Booth, a well-known magazine publisher, was found guilty of serious voyeurism and taking an indecent image of a minor. The incident, which took place in May 2010, involved Booth secretly photographing a 17-year-old girl while she was sleeping naked in his home, an act that has sparked outrage and concern over the safety of minors in the region.

Booth, aged 64 and residing on High Street in Hurstpierpoint, had been a prominent figure in the local publishing scene since he launched Sussex Living, a free magazine serving the Mid-Sussex community, in 2005. His reputation was severely tarnished following the revelations of his misconduct, which came to light during a court hearing at Hove Crown Court.

The court was told that Booth, then 63 years old, exploited his position and the trust of a young girl. The incident unfolded after Booth had invited the girl, who was 17 at the time, to his home following a night out. According to reports, he took a photograph of her while she was lying naked on his bed, an act that was captured on his iPhone. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later recounted her experience, stating that she had been drinking wine at a Brighton restaurant on May 29, during which Booth refilled her glass multiple times, leading her to become intoxicated.

She recalled waking up the next morning to find herself naked in Booth’s bed, hearing the sound of a camera shutter, and realizing what had happened. She left his residence the following morning but was so distressed that she confided in her mother and contacted the police. Booth admitted to the authorities that he had taken advantage of her, which led to his arrest and subsequent charges.

During the court proceedings, Booth’s defense lawyer, Oliver Dunkin, argued that Booth had deleted the photograph immediately after taking it. He also claimed that Booth and the girl had discussed the possibility of her engaging in nude modeling, suggesting that Booth’s actions were a moment of weakness rather than premeditated abuse. The defense further stated that Booth had resigned from his position as publisher of Sussex Living following the incident, as advertisers withdrew their support once the criminal charges became public.

Judge Charles Kemp sentenced Booth to a 12-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, Booth was placed under a year of probation supervision, ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community service, and required to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court also imposed a five-year sexual offences prevention order, restricting Booth from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 18, prohibiting him from having minors in his home, and forbidding him from employing female staff under the age of 18.

This case has raised serious concerns about the safety and vulnerability of minors, especially in cases involving individuals in positions of trust and influence within the community of Hurstpierpoint and beyond.