September 2007
Sex attack in public toilets
A 70-year-old man who terrified a teenage boy by forcing him into a public lavatory cubicle has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Charles Dunford, from Neal Court in Waltham Abbey, made a “pass” at the 14-year-old in Grundy Park, Cheshunt on April 6 this year.
Dunford, a former coach driver for a football club, admitted a single charge of sexual activity with a child at at St Albans crown court this week.
David Baird, for the prosecution, said that shortly after 6pm the boy was near to the entrance of the park when he decided to use the nearby public toilets.
On hearing voices coming from inside, he walked away and saw the defendant.
Mr Baird said Dunford tried to talk to the youngster who ignored him and walked away.
However Dunford followed him and close to the library tried to put his hand on the boy’s back.
The teenager pushed the older man away and realised he needed to visit the public lavatory.
On coming out of the cubicle he saw Dunford standing by a urinal. He appeared to be fondling himself.
Dunford then pushed the boy back into the cubicle and followed him in.
He tried to kiss the boy who struggled free and made off.
The following day the defendant was arrested in Grundy park as he sat on a bench.
After hearing Dunford had spent 170 days in custody on remand, Judge John Plumstead gave him a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years.
He said his name must go on the sex offenders register for the next five years and he was told he must never work with children again.
