Isle of Wight man who exposed himself to police sees sentence reduced

Jeffery Bedford, of Main Road, Brighstone, appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday, November 17.

At an earlier hearing, he was given a 12 month community order for exposing himself and causing criminal damage, during an incident on July 30.

Due to the length of the sentence, he was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register, which triggers notification requirements for five years.

Appearing last week, Bedford's defence argued, as the offence was not motivated by "sexual gratification", this should be reduced, to avoid a notification period.

The court heard how, at 10pm, on the day in question, Bedford's mother was at home and heard her son shouting abuse outside. 

Realising he was drunk, she locked her door. A short time later, police arrived and they discovered a broken-off car wing mirror, a dent in a door and a smashed window.

Bedford refused to open the door of his annexe to police officers and made masturbation gestures, before exposing his penis — waving it around in a "windmill motion", saying "Do you want some of this?", said Samuel March, prosecuting.

A crowbar was used to gain entry to arrest him.

Defending, Jonathan Underhill, said  while Bedford exposing himself was a "stupid thing to do", it was clear it was designed to "alarm, annoy and distress" the arresting officers.

He said while "unpleasant", his actions were not for "sexual gratification" and argued his offending did not warrant the five year notification period.

The court heard how Bedford, who has seven previous convictions for 12 offences, has repaid his mother for the damage.

Mr Underhill said Bedford was a "binge drinker", adding he was "clearly under the influence of drink".

Recorder Elisabeth Bussey-Jones agreed  the act was not "motivated" by sexual gratification.

She reduced his community order to 10 months, with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a three month alcohol abstinence requirement.