Law Weblog

Pedley v Director of Public Prosecutions 2010 (QBD)
(Meaning of ‘Children’s Playground’)
D breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by observing young people playing in a skate park. He was seen hiding in shrubbery using binoculars by an off duty police officer. The skate park had 20 to 35 children between the ages of 10-15 years old in it at the time.
Held: A skate park was a children’s playground for the purposes of the order. The appeal was by way of case stated.
Consideration was given to the fact that: (i) the skate park had been monitored by an officer of the authority who was also responsible for children’s playgrounds; and (ii) the majority of use of the skate park was for people under the age of 18.

Guilty