by Julia Roberts

Center Parcs has cancelled a former scoutmaster's trip after he encouraged boys to strip and perform bizarre forfeits on camping trips.

A court allowed Stephen Daniell, 48, to go on holiday to the UK resort - despite admitting six offences of indecency with a child during camping trips.

He was ordered by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court not to "misbehave" during the holiday early next month.

But now Center Parcs has released a statement, saying his trip has been cancelled.

It said: "At the time of booking we were unaware that this individual was on bail for any crimes.

"We respect that the case is still to be heard, but we do not believe it is appropriate for an individual on bail for such crimes to visit Center Parcs.

"The welfare and safety of our guests, particularly children, is paramount and therefore we must act in their best interest.

"We feel it is only right to cancel this booking and have done so."

The statement comes after Judge Charles Byers at Maidstone imposed a condition that Daniell does not have direct or indirect contact with a child under 16.

He said: “There will be no walking up to anybody and suggesting a little chat.”

Daniell, of Albion Road, Tunbridge Wells, had asked the judge whether his bail condition of residence could be relaxed to enable him to go on a pre-booked trip to the Elveden Forest resort in Suffolk from September 3 to 7.

Remarking that Daniell had been “presumptious” in booking a holiday when he was facing a possible trial, Judge Byers added that he was “not very happy” and asked defence counsel Alan Walmsley: “What’s he doing at Center Parcs and who is he going with?”

After conferring with Daniell at the back of the court, Mr Walmsley said he was going with his wife and that the holiday dates “were out of the school holidays”.

Judge Byers, who commented that he had not himself been to Center Parcs, then granted Daniell bail, but with the added condition.

He also questioned whether Daniell’s wife was aware of the court proceedings. It was confirmed that she is.

Daniell, who works as a window cleaner, had been due to go on trial for eight offences of indecency with a child but pleaded guilty before it started to six of the charges. The remaining two were ordered to be left on file.

Prosecutor Lucy Luttman said Daniell, who has a caution for indecent exposure, met the boys through a conservation group.

The offences occurred during trips to Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

Miss Luttman said Daniell would encourage them to “get naked” and play forfeit games.

“One was made to skirt between the layers of the tent, which was wet with condensation, and another had to remove keys from the top of a tent using his feet,” she explained.

Adjourning sentence for probation reports, Judge Byers told Daniell he had not yet “made up his mind” as to his fate.

“I would like to know what other avenues may be open to me of a constructive nature,” he added.