15 hours ago
Bather who exposed himself in university sauna claimed he was 'warming chicken'
Xin Zhang, 60, said he was 'warming his chicken' in the sauna after he was chucked out a lesiure centre by staff.
A swimmer who exposed himself in a university sauna while staring at a woman through a glass window has been spared jail.
Xin Zhang, 60, was handed a 12-month community order at Manchester Magistrates' Court after admitting a charge of outraging public decency.
The court heard how Zhang, who regularly attended the Tom Husband Leisure Centre at the University of Salford, became 'aroused' by the sensation of pool jets during a swim before entering the sauna, reports Manchester Evening News.
Prosecutor Emilee Creasey previously told the court that Zhang was spotted 'with his shorts down, rubbing his behind on the bench and touching himself in the sauna whilst staring at [a woman] through the glass window'.
The woman, who gave evidence in court, said: 'He stood up. He was looking at me. He pulled his pants down just below the knee. He grabbed his penis and I could see his hands – they were going up and down. I thought 'oh my God'.'
She said the incident lasted three to four minutes until a member of staff intervened. Zhang was confronted and told he was banned from the leisure centre before police were called.
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In an interview, Zhang told officers he referred to his genitals as 'my chicken', claiming he had only been trying to warm himself up due to the cold and discomfort from swimming. He denied any sexual intent and said eczema caused him to wear looser clothing, which he was adjusting at the time.
In a basis of plea, Zhang admitted touching his genitals but claimed it was not for sexual gratification. However, during a trial of issue earlier this year, magistrates rejected his version of events, finding the act was sexually motivated.
They noted inconsistencies in Zhang's statements, including his claim that he had become concerned about a potential medical issue while in the sauna, which prompted him to inspect himself.
The court also heard that Zhang has lived in the UK for more than 20 years and had been a member at the leisure centre for over a decade, attending up to six times a week.
As well as the community order, he was ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. He must complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.
