SAMUEL WALTHO SHIRLEY AND BIRMINGHAM SWIMMING CENTRE SCANDAL

In a disturbing incident that took place in Sutton Coldfield, a man named Samuel Waltho was involved in a serious criminal act that has shocked the local community. On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1, 2019, Waltho, aged 37, approached an eight-year-old girl who was sitting peacefully on a grassy verge near Wyndley Swimming Baths. The young girl was engaged in making daisy chains, a simple and innocent activity, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

According to reports, Waltho concealed himself in nearby bushes and deliberately coughed to attract the girl’s attention. Once he had her focus, he proceeded to expose his genitals in a highly inappropriate and criminal manner. This act of indecent exposure was witnessed by the young girl, who was left understandably distressed by the encounter.

Following the incident, local neighbourhood officers launched an immediate investigation. They conducted inquiries at the scene and spoke with staff members at Wyndley Swimming Baths. A staff member had observed Waltho acting suspiciously, noting that he had been seen running away from the scene and then crouching down in his vehicle before driving off. The staff member also provided a description of the vehicle, a BMW, along with its registration plate.

Law enforcement officials quickly traced the vehicle’s registration to Waltho’s residence on Union Road in Shirley. Less than three hours after the incident, Waltho was arrested at his home. During police interviews, Waltho denied any involvement in the offence but refused to answer further questions. Despite his denials, evidence linking him to the crime was sufficient to secure a conviction.

On May 28, Waltho appeared before Birmingham Crown Court, where he admitted to the charge of indecent exposure. The court sentenced him to 20 months in prison for his actions. It was also revealed that Waltho has a prior history of similar offences, raising concerns about his pattern of behaviour.

Furthermore, Waltho was found to be in breach of a sexual harm prevention order that had previously been imposed to restrict his access to children without supervision. As a result of his conviction, his sex offender registration requirements have been extended for life. This means that he will continue to be monitored by specialist officers even after his release from prison, ensuring ongoing supervision and safeguarding measures to prevent further harm.