Flasher must pay compensation to his victim

Burnley magistrates were told how Christopher John Greenwood (24) had been suggestive to the victim, who is in her 50s, asking her if she wanted to touch him while he had his hand down his pants.

Weeks later, he exposed himself to her and then said “All right” when the two met by chance in town.

Greenwood, of Pritchard Street, is a builder and decorator and was accompanied to court by his girlfriend. He was convicted of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, last August and exposure last November and was given a community order, told to pay £100 compensation, £160 costs and received a 12-month restraining order, banning him from contacting the victim and from following, pestering or touching her.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. He had no previous convictions.

David Lawson (defending) said the exposure offence took place on a chance meeting between Greenwood and the woman. “He was going to the shops. He wouldn’t have known this lady was in that area.”

At the police station, he had to have an appropriate adult with him, which “gives some indication perhaps as to his level of IQ and mental health difficulties,” said Mr Lawson.

He accepted he should be punished and apologises for his actions.