STEVE PALMER FROM MARGATE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DANE PARK

In a disturbing incident that took place in Dane Park, Margate, a man named Steven Palmer was convicted and sentenced for a serious assault involving a young girl. The attack occurred on the evening of Tuesday, December 7, 2022, when the victim, a schoolgirl, was walking through the park during the early hours of the evening.

According to reports, the girl noticed a man following her closely as she moved through the park. Sensing danger, she attempted to hide behind a tree, but her suspicions were confirmed when she looked back and saw the man still nearby. Frightened, she quickly took out her phone and called her mother for help, hoping to alert someone to her predicament.

However, the situation escalated rapidly. Steven Palmer, the man in question, suddenly grabbed the girl from behind, forcefully pushing her to the ground. The assault then turned into an attempted sexual assault, as Palmer inappropriately touched her and sexually assaulted her during the attack. The girl’s screams for help attracted the attention of another young girl in the vicinity, who witnessed the assault and heard her cries for help.

Hearing the screams, the second girl ran to a nearby group of dog walkers and urgently alerted them to the ongoing crime. One of the dog walkers responded swiftly, shining his torch over the area to locate the victim and the attacker. Upon seeing the scene, he pushed Palmer away from the girl, attempting to intervene and stop the assault.

Palmer was confronted by the group of dog walkers, and during the confrontation, he attempted to assault one of the men present. His attempt to escape was thwarted as the group managed to hold him until the police arrived. The authorities were called immediately, and Palmer was arrested at the scene.

Steven Palmer, aged 45 and residing on Sussex Avenue in Margate, was subsequently charged with one count of sexual touching of a girl. He admitted to this charge during his court appearance at Canterbury Crown Court. Additionally, an offence of common assault against one of the witnesses was recorded and will be kept on file.

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Palmer was sentenced to six years in prison for his actions. The court also imposed a further three years on license, which he will be required to serve upon his release. Furthermore, Palmer was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offenses of a similar nature. This case highlights the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting vulnerable individuals from harm in public spaces.