Peeping Tom Jailed After Stalking Kids Just Weeks Out of Prison
Neill Cuthbertson, 57, was snapped up by police after spying on children just weeks after his release from jail. The sex offender lurked outside a Herne Hill home, staring through the window at a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother. He’d already raised alarm the day before at Croydon’s Centrale Shopping Centre, hanging around a children’s play area despite strict court orders banning him from approaching kids.
Stalked Kids Despite Strict Court Orders
Cuthbertson served four-and-a-half years for attacking a young girl before being freed on August 28. He was placed in temporary housing and barred from contacting or getting near any children. But that didn’t stop him. On September 9, he chatted with a man at the shopping centre who had his 4-year-old granddaughter with him before lingering suspiciously near the play area for several minutes.
Later that night, police saw Cuthbertson sneak into the front garden of a Herne Hill house and press his face against a window – identified as a children’s playroom by officers. He returned the next evening but was caught by plainclothes police after trying to flee.
History of Sickening Offences
Prosecutor Luke Bowyer revealed officers found white gloves and binoculars on Cuthbertson, and a face print on the window confirmed his spying. The father of the children described the ordeal as “incredibly disturbing,” relieved Cuthbertson was caught.
Cuthbertson’s twisted past includes:
- 2015: Sentenced to 5 years for assaulting an 11-year-old at Hamley’s toy store.
- Groping an 8-year-old girl in Westfield shopping centre.
- First caught in 1992 for disorderly conduct after spying on children in a garden.
- 1993: Convicted for indecent exposure after watching a 12-year-old in her bedroom.
- Jailed for seven years after breaking into a 9-year-old girl’s home and touching her.
- Assaulted another girl in Thornton Heath after his 1998 release, leading to an eight-year sentence.
Additional charges over the years include taking photos of children in changing rooms, messaging a 14-year-old on Facebook, and approaching an 8-year-old in a park.
Judge: Too Dangerous to Be Freed
Recorder William Featherby KC slammed Cuthbertson’s excuse of “being followed” as “completely rejected.” He said:
“I regret I have no confidence you will stop. You are too dangerous to be left at large.”
Cuthbertson of South Norwood was sentenced today (December 2) to 32 months behind bars. His lifetime sexual harm prevention orders remain in place to keep him away from children forever.
