3 days ago
Man who exposed his genitals to teens in three ‘nasty' separate incidents avoids jail
Asking for some leniency, the barrister said her client was really a 'gentle soul'
A man who exposed his genitals to teenage girls in Tralee on three separate occasions in one week has received a suspended sentence.
Afonso Chavez, also known as Junior Chavez, pled guilty to three counts of exposing his genitals to cause fear, distress or alarm to another person at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, May 30.
Mr Chavez, of Kileen Road in Tralee, was convicted of exposing his genitals to a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl at Monavalley in Tralee on Monday, July 19, 2021.
He was convicted of exposing his genitals to the same two girls at Monavalley two days later, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Mr Chavez, who had no previous convictions, was also convicted of exposing his genitals to a 16-year-old girl at Market Place in Tralee on Friday, July 23, 2021.
The court heard that the girl was in a car when Mr Chavez approached and she used a phone to video him.
Ahead of sentencing, barrister for the defendant, Katie O'Connell, told Judge Behan that her client was 'very upset' after spending some time in custody.
Ms O'Connell said that Mr Chavez fully accepted that his penis was erect during the incidents with the girls.
Asking for some leniency, the barrister said her client was really a 'gentle soul'.
Judge Behan, summarising the case, said Mr Chavez had altered his clothing and exposed his genitals to the girls in a planned manner.
'It was nasty and upsetting for those girls,' she said.
The Judge said she was sceptical of Ms O'Connell's argument that the loss of Mr Chavez's mother had contributed to him carrying out the exposures, given how long had passed since her death.
She noted that Mr Chavez had engaged in counselling and was taking anti-depressants. He had also spent a number of nights in custody.
Judge Behan said a probation report on the accused caused her to consider his sentence.
She said that Mr Chavez had struggled to take responsibility for the harm he caused to his victims and had been embarrassed about the incidents.
Tralee Circuit Criminal Court. File photo
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The Judge said he was at medium risk of reoffending and low risk of committing a non-sexual offence. His offences meant he could get up to two years imprisonment.
She sentenced Mr Chavez to 18 months in prison and suspended this sentence in entirety for three years.
Judge Behan took into account Mr Chavez's lack of previous convictions, guilty pleas and work history in the hospitality industry before sentencing him.
Mr Chavez is required to engage in a therapy programme and address any mental health issues as part of the conditions of his sentence.
