A Carlisle man who touched himself sexually on a bus within sight of two female passengers has been ordered to complete rehabilitation work and a booze ban as part of his punishment.
Two young women boarded a service in the city centre on November 26 2021. A few stops later, 43-year-old Scott Barton got on the same bus and sat at the back of the vehicle, immediately behind the women.
Initially Barton was seen to touch himself in the groin area on top of shorts he was wearing. One woman looked away but then glanced to see Barton was touching his now exposed penis and was described as being fully aroused.
Carlisle Crown Court heard both women moved across the aisle and tried to ignore Barton before they got off the bus.
A report was made to the driver and police were informed. Barton’s attendance on the bus was captured on CCTV, he was arrested and made no comment when interviewed.
On the day he was due to stand trial, Barton, of Mcilmoyle Way, Carlisle, admitted a charge of outraging public decency.
As Barton, a father, was sentenced this afternoon, defence barrister Judith McCullough told the court he wholeheartedly apologised for the offence, and had expressed shame and regret.
“He is sorry for what he has done,” said Ms McCullough. She told how Barton had latterly cut his alcohol intake and no longer misused drugs.
Passing sentence, Judge David Potter told ADHD sufferer Barton the two females involved were clearly caused alarm and distress by your behaviour.
“This was a serious offence, committed in broad daylight, clearly outraging public decency,” added the judge.
Barton was made subject to a three-year community order. He must complete a sex offender treatment course, rehabilitation work and 100-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement which involves wearing a bracelet detecting alcohol in sweat.
