11:35am Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Wendy Barlow
A FLASHER who struck repeatedly in Bacup and groped a teenage girl at a bus stop has been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.
Burnley Crown Court heard how Richard McMahon, 33, flashed at two 14-year-old girls, and then again at one of the girls and her mother.
Around five months later, the father-of-two groped an 18-year-old girl as she waited at a bus stop, before exposing himself to her and her friend.
Despite fleeing the scene before police arrived, he was spotted in the area by the first two girls who recognised him and alerted officers.
He was arrested the next day at Rawtenstall Police Station, where he turned up and told officers his car had been borrowed by a friend.
When police searched the car, they found five wraps of cocaine, which McMahon said had been bought for use at a stag party.
McMahon, who has a record for similar offences, admitted three counts of exposure, one of sexual assault and possessing cocaine.
The defendant, recently of Newhaven Close, Bury, had spent 147 days on remand in custody.
He was given a three-year community order, with three years supervision, and must attend a sex offender programme.
He was also put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.
Hugh McKee, prosecuting, said on April 29 last year, the two friends were near New Line at about 7.30pm, when McMahon performed a sex act in front of them.
He then flashed again at one of the girls and her mother, who had arrived after being contacted by her daughter.
On September 4, two 18- year-old girls were at a bus stop in New Line when the defendant groped one of them, before exposing himself and running off.
Mr McKee said not long after that, the first two girls were in New Line and recognised McMahon.
They called police while the defendant went into a park and committed another sex act.
Mr McKee said McMahon was convicted of six counts of exposure in 2005 and had been given a suspended sentence.
Sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell, QC, said victims were caused distress and embarrassment because they were frightened.
David Tempkin, defending, said the defendant, who had abused steroids, had not used violence, or threats.
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