Jail term for man who exposed himself

A psychiatric report on a father of three, convicted of two-sex related offences involving young girls, indicates the Niagara man is at “very high risk to re-offend” if he experiences stress in his life.

Anthony Johnson, 33, appeared in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Tuesday and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, to be served on weekends, on charges of sexual touching and exposing his genitals to a person under 16.

The defendant is a former employee at a local moving company and was helping customers move when both incidents occurred.

In March 2015, a 12-year-old girl was helping three employees pack items at her family’s Fort Erie home. At one point, she entered her bedroom and discovered Johnson standing in the room with his penis exposed.

Assistant Crown attorney Holly Nickel said the victim froze when Johnson moved toward her and he tried to touch her with his penis. The victim backed away, but he again moved toward her and touched the girl’s hand with his penis.

In May 2015, Johnson was part of a team moving a family from Grimsby to Wainfleet.

Court heard he approached a nine-year-old girl with his penis sticking out the top of his pants.

When the victim saw his penis he said “Well that’s inappropriate.” He held his hand over his heart, apologized, and put his penis back inside his pants.

At the time of both offences, Johnson was awaiting trial on similar matter where he had exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl in a store at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines.

An assessment ordered under the Mental Health Act indicates Johnson has “pedophilic and exhibitionist” disorders.

Defence counsel V.J. Singh said his client does not believe he has such disorders but does agree that he needs help.

In addition to the jail term, Judge Peter Wilkie placed Johnson on probation for three years.

During the duration of his probation, the defendant cannot be in the presence of females between the ages of nine and 15, must comply with random drug testing, and must take any counselling or therapy as suggested by his probation officer.

He must also stay away from parks, playgrounds and public swimming pools.