Thanet Flasher Banged Up for Breaking Ban After Being Spotted Partially Naked in Public
A Thanet man has been locked up for flouting a sexual offences prevention order after he was caught partially-dressed in public.
Flasher Caught Red-Handed in Margate Bushes
On the afternoon of 15 December 2019, Kent Police responded to reports of a suspicious man wearing only a burgundy jumper lurking near Thanet Road in Margate. Officers found 51-year-old Ricky Neville hiding in bushes. He tried to leg it but was quickly arrested.
Neville confessed he had recently been freed from prison and deliberately went out intending to perform an indecent act in public.
Breached Ban, Back Behind Bars
The court was told Neville, from Grosvenor Place, Margate, admitted outraging public decency and breaching the sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). His SOPO banned him from removing clothing in public and entering parks, gardens, churchyards, or woods.
At Canterbury Crown Court on 6 March 2020, Neville was sentenced to two years in prison for his crime.
Police Slam Flasher’s ‘Selfish’ Actions
“Neville was under strict conditions aimed at allowing him liberty, but preventing him from committing any indecent act in public,” said Detective Sergeant Jade Barrett.
“He may have thought hiding in a bush would keep others safe, but being in a public place means people were put at risk of witnessing his crime — which simply isn’t on. He knew the risk and now faces the consequences locked up.”
