Community sentence for Pateley Bridge man caught masturbating in Harrogate car park

A Pateley Bridge man has been given a 12-month community order for masturbating in a public car park in Harrogate.

Thomas Christopher Watson, 29, of Millfield Street, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court this afternoon having already pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency.

The court heard a member of the public had called police on September 3, after she had seen Watson masturbating in his car in the car park on Station Parade.

When officers arrived, Watson was compliant and admitted the offence when questioned at the police station.

Defending, Brian Nuttney of McCormicks Solicitors said it was important not to conflate Watson’s actions with indecent exposure, where the act is targeted towards someone else. He said:

“In short, he describes this as a terrible decision. It was not something that was planned and it was not something that was thought through.

“It was not something that was going on in response to anything or anybody around him… Intent isn’t something that can be shown in any way here.”

Mr Nuttney said Watson was “shocked” by his own behaviour and had done some work to address whether he needed help.

The court heard Watson, an office worker who was based mainly at home, had received a police caution for a similar offence in 2010.

Magistrates imposed the community order along with a requirement to complete 30 days’ rehabilitation activity, designed to help him address his problems.

They ordered him to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85.

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