Jody Hawkins, a 41-year-old man, has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to seven offences, including causing a child to watch a video of him performing a sexual act and exposing himself in a female toilet block. The sentencing took place at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, June 29.
Hawkins first came to the attention of the police in May last year when he initiated a sexual conversation with a teenage girl and encouraged her to engage in a sexual act while he played a pornographic video of himself. The girl refused and reported the matter to the police.
In late-October, Hawkins committed a series of offences against four other victims. He was found in a female toilet block in Keynsham, where he exposed himself to a woman. Shortly after, he showed another woman an inappropriate private photograph of himself and exposed himself again. On the same evening, he attempted to engage in a sexual conversation with two 16-year-olds and showed them the same photograph.
Hawkins pleaded guilty to charges that included inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, indecent exposure, and intentionally causing fear, harassment, alarm, or distress. He will be sentenced for the two harassment charges at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 5.
In addition to the prison sentence, Hawkins has been given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to prevent any contact with his victims. The court acknowledged the bravery of the victims throughout the investigation and expressed hope that the sentence would provide them with the peace of mind they deserve.
Detective Constable Heather McGowan, the officer in the case, commended the victims for their strength and courage. She also thanked the community members in Keynsham who came forward with information to support the investigation, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service and the trial barrister for their assistance in bringing Hawkins to justice. The police encourage all victims of sexual offences to come forward, assuring them that they will be believed, offered support and that crimes will be thoroughly investigated.

