A North Rigton man has been fined after exposing himself at a Harrogate swimming pool.

Richard Liddle, 53, of Brackenwell Lane, admitted an offence of outraging public decency on May 16, 2024, after exposing his genitals at the Harrogate Leisure and Wellbeing Hub, formerly known as Harrogate Hydro.

He appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this afternoon for a sentencing hearing.

Mel Ibbertson, prosecuting, told the court that a member of the public alerted pool staff after seeing Liddle swimming while exposing himself at about 6.30pm.

Ibbertson said the 53-year-old had swum to one end of the pool, tucked his genitals over his shorts and then proceeded to swim back.

A member of the public confronted the defendant about the allegation to which Liddle said he had an issue with his shorts, the court was told.

The member of the public then alerted pool staff to Liddle after becoming “shocked at what he saw” and concerned that the pool had 10 to 20 people in it, the prosecution added.

Managers at the pool then used underwater CCTV to review the allegations before alerting police, Ms Ibbertson said.

Officers interviewed Liddle on May 22 last year. He admitted exposing himself, but denied doing it intentionally.

Liddle’s defence told the court the defendant was of previous good character and that the offence was his first time dealing with the justice system.

They said:

They added that Liddle had a fall a few years ago which left him with a bleed on the brain and affected his movement. His physiotherapist advised him to swim to help with treatment.

Magistrates fined Liddle £346 and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £138 and court costs of £85.