Redbridge CouncilA former aide to Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been spared jail after exposing himself to a teenage girl and following her.
Sam Gould had previously pleaded guilty to two separate counts of exposure at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court in Ilford.
Earlier, the 33-year-old who was a councillor in Redbridge, east London, was sentenced at the same court to 22 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for two years.
Gould resigned from his councillor role in March after his conviction.
Gould was seen exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl while he was in his parked car in Romford on 8 March. Gould then followed the girl, who hid and knocked on nearby flats to try to get help, prosecutors said.
He also exposed himself to a woman while he was seated in a Mini Cooper with the windows down on Patricia Drive in Hornchurch on 9 February, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard.
‘Distressed and violated’
Speaking of the first offence, prosecutor Jeannel Ambrose said Gould had targeted a “particularly vulnerable victim”.
The prosecutor added that the second victim, who had been walking her dog at the time felt “distressed and violated”.
She took his vehicle registration before reporting him to police, Ms Ambrose said.
Nicholas Jennaway, defending, said Gould had been going through difficulties at work and his personal life at the time of the incidents.
Mr Jennaway said that Gould followed the girl in a “very panicked state” to try to talk to her, having not seen her approaching.
He said that Gould, a “shy, introverted person” and a man of previous good character, “apologises profusely” for the harm caused.
Gould accepts that his role in public service means he is held to a “higher standard”, Mr Jennaway said.
Gould was suspended from the Labour Party when he was arrested, however he remained a councillor as there was “no process in place” at Redbridge Council to remove him from office.
Streeting had called for his former assistant to resign, saying: “There are no excuses for his appalling behaviour. I am calling for him, again, to resign as a Redbridge councillor immediately.”
Gould stood down after he had admitted the offences in court.
Gould was made subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order meaning he cannot contact girls under 18.
District Judge Paul Donegan also ordered Gould to pay £239 in legal costs.
