Owners of preschool say children weren't aware as homeless man tried to 'kick through door'

As reported in the Daily Echo, David Crowhurst shouted and swore at Dania Desiderio, deputy manager of the East Cliff Preschool in Holdenhurst Road, during the "frightening" incident on June 11.

Children aged between two and four were sitting down for circle time when Crowhurst, 53, knocked on the door and asked about a homeless shelter.

When Ms Desiderio turned him away, he attempted to force the door open. Staff then heard a "loud banging". Poole Magistrates' Court heard the noise continued "as if he was kicking the door".

He later admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence, and had already pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage, one of assaulting a PC in the execution of her duty and one of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, which relate to another incident.

Jason Spellman, prosecuting the case last month, said the incident had been "alarming and distressing" for the children.

However, Beckie Winkley, who co-owns the preschool with Amanda Allison, said the children were not aware of the incident as staff followed a drill.

"The school was put in partial lockdown drill, which involved moving the children into the main room," she said.

"The children were unaware of the incident."

The safety of the youngsters is "always of paramount importance", Beckie said.

"Staff acted diligently and quickly and the police arrived promptly."

Crowhurst, who comes from Southampton but has been street homeless in Bournemouth without medication for his mental health issues for several months, was "mortified" to learn one of his offence involved a preschool, the court heard.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and issued with a restraining order preventing him from visiting the East Cliff United Reformed Church, where the preschool meets.

He must also pay a £115 surcharge.