Streeting’s ex-aide spared jail after exposing himself to girl and following her

A former aide to Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been spared jail after exposing himself to a teenage girl and following her.

Samuel Gould, 33, of Hornchurch, Essex, who was also a councillor in Redbridge, was seen by the 13-year-old girl masturbating in his parked car in Romford on March 8.

Gould then followed the girl, who hid and knocked on nearby flats to try and get help, prosecutors say.

He was also seen by a woman masturbating while he was seated in a Mini Cooper with the windows down on Patricia Drive in Hornchurch on February 9, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday.

District Judge Paul Donegan sentenced Gould to 22 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty at the same court last month to two counts of exposure.

Gould was made subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) meaning he cannot contact girls under 18.

He must pay £239 in legal costs.

Prosecutor Jeannel Ambrose said the teenager was alone when she saw Gould masturbating in the driver’s seat while parked with the windows down.

The girl said she ran and also ducked behind bushes, believing the car was following her, the court heard.

Ms Ambrose said the girl also knocked at nearby flats to get help but nobody answered.

The teenager said she also saw Gould following her “on foot”, the court heard.

She asked for help from others and the police were called.

Ms Ambrose said Gould specifically targeted a “particularly vulnerable victim”.

The second victim felt “distressed and violated” after she saw Gould masturbating while she was walking her dog, the court heard.

She took his vehicle registration before reporting him to police, Ms Ambrose said.

Gould resigned from his roles with Mr Streeting and Redbridge Council and was suspended from the Labour Party after his conviction.

Mr Streeting said after Gould was sentenced that it “must have been an extremely traumatic time” for the victims of the “appalling crime”

He added: “I hope today’s sentencing provides some small reassurance to them, but I know that this will stay with them forever, and I want to express again my deeply felt sorrow and anger that they have had to go through this.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “It is right that Sam Gould has been sentenced for his appalling actions, and our thoughts remain with the victims and all those who have been impacted by this.

“There can be no place in public life for those who abuse the trust placed in them, and the Labour Party will always take swift action against anyone accused of conduct that falls below our high standards – as happened in this case.”

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.