SIMON INCE CAUGHT NAKED NEAR CHATHAM CHILDREN'S PARK IN DISTURBING INCIDENT

A disturbing incident involving Simon Ince, a police sergeant based in Chatham, has come to light after he was found in a state of undress near a children’s play area. The case has sparked controversy and disappointment among local authorities and the public alike, as prosecutors decided not to pursue more serious charges against him.

According to reports, Simon Ince was spotted by startled dog walkers loitering without clothing in woodland off Vale Drive in Chatham. The sighting was alarming, especially considering the location’s proximity to a children’s park, raising concerns about public safety and decency. The incident occurred approximately five months prior to his arrest, and further investigations revealed that Ince had taken explicit photographs on his mobile phone while in the same woodland area. These images depicted him engaging in masturbation while completely naked, adding a deeply troubling dimension to the case.

Despite the gravity of the evidence, Kent Police, which later dismissed Sgt Ince from his position, initially sought to press charges of indecent exposure and outraging public decency. However, their efforts to escalate the case were ultimately unsuccessful. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewed the case and decided not to authorize more serious charges, opting instead for a lesser charge of a public order offence. This decision was based on a detailed internal review, which led to the rejection of the police’s appeal for harsher prosecution.

In the aftermath of the decision, Kent’s police and crime commissioner expressed his disappointment, describing the outcome as “disappointing.” The MP representing the area announced plans to escalate the matter by raising it with the Attorney General, emphasizing the importance of serving the public interest and maintaining public confidence in law enforcement.

Details of the incident trace back to February 2 of the previous year, when police officers responded to reports of a naked man in Vale Drive. Upon being spotted, Sgt Ince quickly dressed into what was described as “keep-fit clothing” and began jogging around the park. However, officers soon arrived on the scene, and he was detained and taken into custody. He was questioned on suspicion of indecent exposure and outraging public decency, both of which carry potential prison sentences.

Further examination of his phone uncovered images of similar incidents, including the explicit photos taken in the woodland area. Despite the police’s efforts to press for more serious charges, the CPS’s decision to dismiss these appeals meant that Ince faced a less severe outcome.

On September 17, at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Ince’s solicitor requested a conditional caution—an alternative to prosecution that requires the offender to admit guilt and comply with specific conditions. After the CPS’s advice, Kent Police representatives agreed to this arrangement. It is understood that if more serious charges had been authorized earlier, such a caution might not have been granted.

Two weeks following the court hearing, Ince admitted to the offence during a police interview. Subsequently, on October 11, the conditions of his caution were formally read out, which included attending an online “thinking skills” course and staying away from the Vale Drive park area. The case has ignited debate about the adequacy of the legal response to such disturbing behaviour, especially given the proximity to a children’s park and the potential risk to the community.

Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, voiced his concerns, stating that it was “disappointing” that the CPS did not authorize more serious charges. He emphasized that the police had taken the matter seriously, as evidenced by the swift investigation and his subsequent dismissal. However, he also acknowledged that the incident’s proximity to a children’s park makes it particularly disturbing, and he called for appropriate measures to ensure public safety and confidence in law enforcement.