Shame of drunken flasher at Brierfield bus stop (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Shame of drunken flasher at Brierfield bus stop
11:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News
A MIDDLE-aged man who exposed himself in full view of a teenage girl and her boyfriend told a court: ‘I’m not a flasher.’ Self-employed Mark Leslie Edwards, 43, was said to have pulled his trousers down at a main road bus stop in Brierfield at night and stared at the couple.
The teenager’s 17-year-old partner shouted at him, Burnley magistrates heard.
Edwards, who was not legally represented, told the Bench he had been ‘extremely drunk’. He said he still had no recollection of what happened, but had no reason to dispute what the pair said.
The defendant, of Quakers View, Brierfield, admitted exposing himself with intent to insult a female, on September 8. He was given a 12 months conditional discharge with £60 costs to pay.
Neil White, prosecuting, said police did not suggest Edwards had any history of such behaviour and it appeared the defendant had acted out of character when very drunk.
The couple were walking in Brierfield at 10.30pm. The 17-year-old said the man on the opposite side pulled down his trousers, and started ‘playing with’ himself, staring right at them.
The police were called.
on interview by officers, Edwards said he had been drinking beer and cider and didn’t remember anything else. He expressed disgust at his own conduct. He told police he was not an alcoholic, but when he drank he would have too much.
The defendant told the court: “I would like to apologise to the people who witnessed my appalling behaviour. I am sorry for any distress I have caused to them and to my family and friends.”
He added: “I am not a flasher. It’s totally out of character. I am quite a private person.”
Sentencing, Bench chairman Neil Tranmer told the defendant: “We do accept that you feel genuine remorse and indeed disappointment and disgust in your own behaviour.
“We also accept the fact it was alcohol-related and hopefully what we are going to do this morning will certainly make you stop and think in relation to alcohol in the future.”
