Charlie Steine

Charlie Steine, a 25-year-old man of no fixed address, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, 13 November 2025, where he was sentenced for multiple offences committed in Thanet, Kent. The court heard that Steine had been subject to a suspended sentence since October 2023 for an unspecified sexual offence when he engaged in further criminal behaviour.

On 20 July 2025, Steine was observed near a group of youths in Ramsgate town centre. The group provided him with money, after which he entered a local KFC restaurant and pulled down his trousers in front of a woman, exposing himself as part of what was described as a 'misguided prank'. Judge Edmund Fowler recounted the incident during the hearing, stating: 'They gave you some money and you went inside a KFC and pulled your trousers down in front of a woman. Some misguided prank, no doubt. She came out and slapped you across the face.' Prosecutor Caroline Knight added that CCTV footage captured the shocked reactions of those present, noting: 'From the faces of the people in the restaurant caught on CCTV when the defendant took his trousers down, they were clearly unamused.'

Three months later, on 2 October 2025, Steine broke into a flat in Queen Street, Ramsgate, belonging to Muhammad Noman. The intruder was discovered by the occupier sitting on his bed, appearing intoxicated and slurring his words. Steine claimed he was homeless before leaving the premises. Mr Noman later realised his mobile phone was missing and confronted Steine outside the communal door. In response, Steine produced a sharpened piece of piping and demanded £5, effectively robbing Mr Noman. Mr Noman's flatmate intervened by providing £20, after which Steine returned the phone and departed.

Steine pleaded guilty to a public order offence related to the KFC incident, as well as robbery and aggravated burglary for the Queen Street break-in. Having been on remand since 6 October 2025, he appeared via video link from prison. Mitigating, defence lawyer Kerry Waitt explained that Steine had initially complied with his suspended sentence by becoming drug-free but lost his accommodation, relapsed into drug use, and was disowned by his family. She noted: 'He has taken advantage of his time in custody and is now clean of drugs.' Judge Fowler acknowledged Steine's difficult upbringing and praised his recent efforts in custody, but imposed a custodial sentence nonetheless.

The sentencing took place at Canterbury Crown Court, with the offences investigated by Kent Police. This case highlights Steine's pattern of escalating criminal activity while under court supervision for a prior sexual offence.