A predator who posed as a police officer and a caretaker to sexually assault children in London parks has pleaded guilty to multiple offences, a court has heard.
Guilty Plea at Snaresbrook Crown Court
David Pearce, 70, of March in Cambridgeshire, entered guilty pleas at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday to seven sex offences. These include six counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. The offences date back to the 1990s and involve victims as young as eight years old.
Details of the Assaults
Prosecutors stated that on April 23, 1990, at Barking park lido, Pearce masqueraded as either a police officer or a caretaker. He approached four children—two boys and two girls, aged between eight and 11—claiming that keys were missing before proceeding to assault them. In a separate incident in July 1996 at a recreational ground, he indecently assaulted two 13-year-old girls.
The court heard that police were able to match semen found on a bench after the 1990 incident to Pearce. This match occurred after he was arrested in 2019 on suspicion of voyeurism, for which he received a caution.
Additional Charges Left on File
Pearce had denied a further four counts of indecent assault, six counts of attempting an act of indecency with a child, and two counts of indecency with a child, relating to 12 other children also from the 1990s. However, prosecutors chose to leave these charges on file following his guilty pleas.
Bail and Sentencing
Pearce was granted conditional bail but was warned by the judge that he faces a custodial sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced for the seven offences on May 29. The court emphasised the severity of his crimes, noting his abuse of authority to gain access to vulnerable children.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance in public spaces and the long-term efforts of law enforcement to bring historical offenders to justice.
