TUNBRIDGE WELLS PAEDOPHILE STEPHEN DANIELL SHOCKS WITH CRIMES AT SNOWDONIA AND CENTER PARCS
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Tunbridge Wells Child Sexual Abuser
In October 2012, a disturbing case involving Stephen Daniell, a resident of Tunbridge Wells, came to light, revealing a pattern of indecent behavior towards young boys during camping trips. The court heard that Daniell, aged 48 and working as a window cleaner, had engaged in inappropriate acts with boys while on a camping holiday in Snowdonia National Park, Wales, over 14 years prior. Despite the serious nature of these offenses, Daniell was spared immediate imprisonment, instead receiving a community order coupled with sex offender treatment, a decision that sparked controversy and public concern.
Judge Stephen Byers, presiding over the case, emphasized that the decision to avoid jail was based on the public interest and the potential for rehabilitation. The court was informed that Daniell had admitted to six counts of indecency with a child, which involved encouraging the boys to strip naked and participate in forfeits during the camping trip. The prosecutor, Lucy Luttman, detailed how Daniell, who also held two cautions for flashing at train passengers around the same period, would coax the boys into undressing. She described specific incidents, such as one boy being made to crawl between the wet layers of a tent and another having to retrieve keys from the top of a tent using his feet.
During the proceedings, Daniell’s defense lawyer, Kieran Brand, acknowledged the breach of trust but argued that his client did not derive sexual gratification from his actions and was struggling to cope with issues stemming from his strict Christian upbringing. The defense also pointed out that Daniell had not committed any offenses since 1998 and that a sexual offences order would restrict his community and voluntary work.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the judge sentenced Daniell to a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work. He expressed his disappointment that the boys’ parents had entrusted their children to Daniell’s care, only to have that trust betrayed in such a humiliating manner. Judge Byers stated, “Had you touched them, I would have had no hesitation in sending you to prison, and for quite a long time.” However, he justified the decision to avoid incarceration by highlighting the effectiveness of the Thames Valley sex offender program, noting that individuals who participate in such programs rarely re-offend, unlike those who serve prison sentences. Daniell was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,200.
In a related incident earlier that year, Daniell was controversially granted permission to go on holiday to Center Parcs at Elveden Forest, Suffolk, while on bail. The decision was made by Judge Charles Byers after Daniell pleaded guilty to six charges of indecency with a child. The judge expressed skepticism about Daniell’s decision to book the trip, considering he was facing trial, and questioned the purpose of his visit. Daniell explained that he intended to go with his wife, and the holiday was scheduled outside of school holidays. Despite initial reservations, Judge Byers allowed the trip, imposing a strict condition that Daniell must not have any direct or indirect contact with children under 16 during his stay. The resort later canceled the booking after learning of the convictions.
Prosecutor Lucy Luttman recounted that Daniell had met the boys through a conservation group and encouraged them to disrobe and play forfeits during their trips, including at Snowdonia and Maidstone Crown Court. The incidents involved specific acts such as making a boy crawl between tent layers and removing keys from the top of a tent with his feet. Daniell’s history also includes cautions for indecent exposure, adding to the concerns about his conduct. The court was told that he was scheduled to face trial on eight charges but pleaded guilty to six before proceedings began, with two charges left on file. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow for probation reports, indicating that he had not yet determined the final penalty and was considering other avenues for intervention.
Judge Stephen Byers, presiding over the case, emphasized that the decision to avoid jail was based on the public interest and the potential for rehabilitation. The court was informed that Daniell had admitted to six counts of indecency with a child, which involved encouraging the boys to strip naked and participate in forfeits during the camping trip. The prosecutor, Lucy Luttman, detailed how Daniell, who also held two cautions for flashing at train passengers around the same period, would coax the boys into undressing. She described specific incidents, such as one boy being made to crawl between the wet layers of a tent and another having to retrieve keys from the top of a tent using his feet.
During the proceedings, Daniell’s defense lawyer, Kieran Brand, acknowledged the breach of trust but argued that his client did not derive sexual gratification from his actions and was struggling to cope with issues stemming from his strict Christian upbringing. The defense also pointed out that Daniell had not committed any offenses since 1998 and that a sexual offences order would restrict his community and voluntary work.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the judge sentenced Daniell to a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work. He expressed his disappointment that the boys’ parents had entrusted their children to Daniell’s care, only to have that trust betrayed in such a humiliating manner. Judge Byers stated, “Had you touched them, I would have had no hesitation in sending you to prison, and for quite a long time.” However, he justified the decision to avoid incarceration by highlighting the effectiveness of the Thames Valley sex offender program, noting that individuals who participate in such programs rarely re-offend, unlike those who serve prison sentences. Daniell was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,200.
In a related incident earlier that year, Daniell was controversially granted permission to go on holiday to Center Parcs at Elveden Forest, Suffolk, while on bail. The decision was made by Judge Charles Byers after Daniell pleaded guilty to six charges of indecency with a child. The judge expressed skepticism about Daniell’s decision to book the trip, considering he was facing trial, and questioned the purpose of his visit. Daniell explained that he intended to go with his wife, and the holiday was scheduled outside of school holidays. Despite initial reservations, Judge Byers allowed the trip, imposing a strict condition that Daniell must not have any direct or indirect contact with children under 16 during his stay. The resort later canceled the booking after learning of the convictions.
Prosecutor Lucy Luttman recounted that Daniell had met the boys through a conservation group and encouraged them to disrobe and play forfeits during their trips, including at Snowdonia and Maidstone Crown Court. The incidents involved specific acts such as making a boy crawl between tent layers and removing keys from the top of a tent with his feet. Daniell’s history also includes cautions for indecent exposure, adding to the concerns about his conduct. The court was told that he was scheduled to face trial on eight charges but pleaded guilty to six before proceedings began, with two charges left on file. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow for probation reports, indicating that he had not yet determined the final penalty and was considering other avenues for intervention.