Police fear offending could get even worse (From Swindon Advertiser)

Police fear offending could get even worse

9:24pm Tuesday 20th April 2010 in News By Hayley Court

POLICE are hunting a serial flasher who has offended 16 times at Queens Park and Lawn Woods since January.

Concern is growing as the flasher’s victims seem to be getting younger and younger, with the latest being a 11-year-old schoolgirl.

Just yesterday two reports of the man exposing himself were reported, one of which involved a mum with young children outside a Swindon school.

Police are worried that if the man is not caught soon, there is a possibility his crimes could escalate to more serious sexual offences.

PC Phil May, who is investigating the spate of offences, said: “We take incidents such as these extremely seriously, especially when they are directed at children.

“In extreme cases this kind of thing can escalate and they can go on to more serious forms of sexual offences.

“He’s certainly targeting females and one of his most recent victims was just 11 years old.”

Next week will mark the fifth month the pervert has been at large in the Swindon area.

There were two reported incidents this month, both on April 13, one of which involved the 11-year-old.

The first incident happened at 3.53pm at Lawn Woods before the offender made his way to Queens Park, where at 5.30pm he exposed himself to the frightened child.

“This type of incident can cause the victims psychological damage and is very distressing,” said PC May.

“Indecent exposure is an extremely serious crime, often leaving victims traumatised.

“Wiltshire Police are actively seeking any information on the offender's for this recent series and would like to alert all parents and users of the parks in Swindon to these crimes, and advise them to be aware where your children are, report any suspicious persons or incidents.”

Police are anxious for any information which would help them identify the man. They are also keen to hear from any victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with any information should contact PC Phil May at Gablecross police station on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.

PC May added: “If you witness an exposure you should dial 999 immediately, try to look at the time and where you are, give a description of the offender and his current location.”

Man's victims getting younger

THE flasher first struck at Lawn at 5.10pm on January 21, exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl.

Just 18 minutes later he flashed at a 22-year-old woman at Queens Park before minutes later approaching two girls aged 14 and 15 in Upham Road, Old Walcot, and exposing himself again.

The first two victims described him as around 40 years old wearing a dark beanie-style hat and pushing a mountain bike.

The two youngest victims thought he was aged 60, dark skinned with grey stubble and a beanie hat.

PC May said: “The problem is with such a broad range of ages targeted, what an older person considers 40 years old, a child may think is 60 so the descriptions can vary.

“All his victims are getting increasingly younger which is an obvious concern.”

A week later, on January 28, the man approached a 15-year-old girl on the junction of Eastern Avenue and Calvert Road in Walcot West.

The incident happened at 2.25pm and left the victim shaken. She described the flasher as a white male with short dark hair and dark clothing.

At 12.45pm on February 11 the man approached a 17-year-old girl at the Station Road underpass near Swindon town centre and exposed himself. Six days later he targeted a 13-year-old at Lawn Woods at around 1pm. The victim said the man was aged between 45 and 55 and wore dark clothes and a cap. He had a racing-style bike with him.

On February 19 a 28-year-old woman was walking through Queens Park just after 2pm when the man exposed himself to her. Again the man had a bike with him and was wearing a blue hat and dark clothing.

In March the offender struck seven times, three by Queens Park cafe, three in Lawn Woods and once on Upham Road. On March 16 he visited both locations in just over an hour, first targeting a 21-year-old at Lawn Woods at 4.20pm before exposing himself to a 17-year-old at Queens Park at 5.34pm.