Woman pulls back curtains to see naked man in garden

A woman pulled back her bedroom curtains to see a naked man standing in the garden of a neighbouring house, a court was told.
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Sixty-year-old Francis Murray from Sperrin Drive, Magherafelt, admitted a charge of intentionally exposing his genitals to cause alarm or distress.

Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop imposed a three-month jail sentence, suspended for three years.

Mr Dunlop told Murray at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday that he had a “very poor record for offences of this nature”.

Court news.Court news.
Court news.

He warned him that if he offended again over the next three years the custodial sentence would start off with three months.

Mr Dunlop refused an application by the Public Prosecution Service lawyer for a restraining order as he believed having a suspended sentence “hanging over his head” would be a deterrent.

Counsel pointed out that a similar incident had been witnessed by the same person on a previous occasion.

The judge said the threat of an immediate custodial sentence was enough for the defendant.

Prosecuting counsel said on August 1 last at approximate five minutes to seven, the woman pulled back her bedroom curtains.

She said the witness saw Murray sitting fully naked in a chair.

He then stood up and walked slowed towards her before going into a shed and coming out five minutes later wearing clothes, the lawyer said.

Counsel said the witness called the police and they arrested Murray for indecent exposure.

She said he told officers that he had been having a bath and had a panic attack and went outside as he thought he was going to pass out.

Defence lawyer Dean Mooney explained that Murray had a relevant record for offences of this nature with a ten year gap between the last offence and the one before the court.

He said the Probation Service had provided a pre-sentence report which is “very helpful” and concludes that Murray is considered to be at a low risk of re-offending.

Mr Mooney said the court will see from the pre-sentence report that Murray has been forthright and frank and has been subject to Probation supervision for offences of this nature.

He asked the court to consider the defendant’s plea to the charge and his cooperation with Probation.

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