Padiham ‘trick or treat’ flasher is at it again (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Padiham ‘trick or treat’ flasher is at it again

12:44pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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A ‘TRICK or treat’ flasher who exposed himself to children has struck again just months after being taken off the Sex Offenders' Register.

Bachelor pensioner William James Andrews appeared in court and was put on the register in November 2007, after answering his door naked to children who called around Hallowe’en.

He had taken off his clothes before confronting two young girls at his home in Padiham.

This week, he was back before Burnley magistrates again after exposing himself to two girls who were out playing in the town.

The defendant, who told police he had been urinating, claimed he thought the victims wanted to see him.

Andrews, now 67, of Bowness Road, admitted exposure on January 30 and was bailed until March 29, for pre-sentence reports.

David Hartley, prosec-uting, told the court the two girls were near the Premier Shop at about 4.45pm when they saw Andrews go down a back alley. He then exposed himself to them.

They asked the defendant what he was doing. Andrews indicated the girls should go towards him and said he would show them. They ran off and told their parents.

Mr Hartley said the defendant was arrested and when questioned, said he had needed to urinate.

He accepted he had intended to show the victims his private parts as, he said, he thought that was what they wanted.

Andrews was asked if he got sexual gratification and he nodded, apparently indicating he did. The prosecutor said after the incident, the girls had been shocked, not slept well and had suffered nightmares.

The hearing was told Andrews had been given a two-year conditional discharge and had been put on the Sex Offenders' Register for two years after the last offence of exposure.

Nick Dearing, for Andrews, said he had been caring for his elderly mother and after she died, had started to behave in ‘this bizarre and unpleasant fashion’.

He was shy, isolated, perhaps somewhat inadequate and was maybe suffering from some as yet undiagnosed psychiatric problem.

Mr Dearing added: “This is a chap that requires treatment, rather than punishment.

"He says, for what it's worth, he is genuinely remorseful he has caused that upset and he is committed to finding out what is triggering him to behave in this way.”