A man has admitted exposing himself, while drunk, to parents and children at a Carlisle play area.
City magistrates heard today how a show and tell session was being held at Bitts Park on May 18.
A police officer in the park was approached by a parent who informed him that a man — 48-year-old Gordon Lowe — had exposed himself next to the children’s play park.
Lowe was pointed out to police. He was sat next to the play area, with bottles of cider seen around him.
The parent reported seeing Lowe stagger towards some metal railings, with adults shouting at him as he exposed himself behind fencing which provided no screen.
“The children could see clearly what he was doing,” prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court. “Members of the public shouted at him to stop it.”
In court, Lowe admitted committing an act of outraging public decency. He had 11 offences on his criminal record, and was subject both to a court-imposed community order and court bail when the latest crime occurred.
Mitigation was provided by defence solicitor Duncan Campbell, who said: “Mr Lowe apologises for his conduct on this occasion. It was not his intention to cause embarrassment or offence to anyone who was around, at all.”
Lowe was under the influence of alcohol at the time, was drunk and had needed the toilet but could find none open.
“Perhaps the state he was in at the time didn’t allow him to think through things terribly effectively,” said Mr Campbell. “It equates to urinating in a public place.”
Appearing over a video link from custody, Lowe confirmed: “I was having a pee.”
The case was adjourned by magistrates. Lowe, of no fixed address, is due to receive his punishment on a future date, and has been remanded in custody in the meantime.
