A senior aide to Labour politician Wes Streeting, Sam Gould, has pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent exposure, including troubling allegations involving young victims. The 33-year-old was arrested following reports of him exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl and following her as she fled the scene. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Romford, East London, where Gould was allegedly caught performing a sex act with his trousers down inside his vehicle.
According to reports by The Sun, the young girl saw Gould and instinctively ran away, only to find herself pursued by him. She sought refuge by banging on front doors desperately, crying for help until a passing motorist intervened and managed to take down Gould's registration number. The incident has left the girl traumatized and frightened to leave her house. Her mother expressed deep concern, stating, "She didn’t go to school yesterday and she doesn’t want to leave the house. The fact he’s been released on bail has caused her a lot more anxiety - she’s scared she might bump int o him." She described her daughter as deeply affected by the incident, noting, "If the member of the public hadn’t stepped in, I dread to think what might have happened."
Following the disturbing incident, Gould was apprehended by the police later the same day and charged with the crime. He appeared at Barkingside magistrates court on Monday, March 10, where he entered his guilty plea to both counts of indecent exposure. One of these counts included another earlier incident involving the flashing of a 25-year-old woman from Hornchurch last month.
Gould, who has been suspended from the Labour Party, has since resigned from his role within Mr. Streeting’s constituency office. The Health Secretary himself reacted to the news with shock and distress, declaring: "There are no words to express my horror... as soon as I was made aware of his arrest he was suspended, and as soon as the guilty plea was entered I took immediate steps to sack him. There are no excuses for his appalling behaviour."
This chain of events has raised alarms among local officials, with Kam Rai, the Leader of Redbridge Council voicing deep concern. He stated, "I am shocked and appalled by the actions... I would like to personally thank them for their immediate and timely action." Rai has called for Gould to resign, labeling his actions as a “betrayal” and adding, "The system is flawed. It’s disgusting... he shouldn’t be give the choice to resign. He’s admitted it; he should be sacked." This sentiment echoes the outpouring of anger from the community, especially among parents who expect accountability from those entrusted with public roles.
Despite the gravity of the crimes, the law's current framework means local authorities do not have the power to immediately remove councillors for misconduct. This raises fundamental questions about the integrity of public service positions and the safeguards—or lack thereof—designed to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly when minors are involved.
The fallout from this incident extends beyond the immediate victims and their families. Colleagues who worked alongside Gould expressed their shock at the revelations. One close acquaintance, who wished to remain anonymous, explained how Gould was perceived within the office: "He was affable, he was friendly, I trusted him. I’ve been in the car with him alone." This stark juxtaposition between personal relationships and the reality of his actions has left many feeling betrayed.
The case is set to proceed to sentencing on April 7, 2025, where Gould remains on conditional bail, and is prohibited from sitting in the front seat of any vehicle. The community awaits the judicial outcomes of this troubling series of events, hoping for justice not only for the victims but also for the restoration of trust within public service. The victim's mother adamantly stated, "I want to protect other kids," capturing the need for systemic changes to prevent future incidents. The horror of this ordeal continues to resonate as the public grapples with the ramifications of such misconduct from those entrusted with their welfare.