13 hours ago
Drunk man exposed himself near Carlisle play park
CHILDREN attending a show and tell session at a Carlisle play area saw a drunk man expose himself nearby.
Gordon Lowe, 48, committed the crime at the city's Bitts Park.
Carlisle Magistrates' Court was given details of the incident by prosecutor George Shelley.
This occurred on May 18 when a male police constable was present in Bitts Park.
'There was a children's show and tell event organised,' said Mr Shelley. 'The officer was approached by a parent of one of the children who informed him the defendant had exposed his genitals next to the children's play area.'
Lowe was pointed out to the PC, sat near the play area. A number of cider bottles were around him. 'The area was busy with children and adults,' said Mr Shelley.
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,' the prosecutor told magistrates. '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.
'Mr Lowe apologises for his conduct on this occasion,' said the lawyer. 'It was not his intention to cause embarrassment or offence to anyone who was around, at all.
'He was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Several bottles of cider were found next to him when police arrived. He had been at the park for a while. He was drunk. He needed to use the toilet.
'The toilet was not open. Certainly he could not find a public convenience to use.'
Lowe had tried to find the least obvious place to relieve himself, against the fence. '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.'
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.
