M&S BOSS FLASHED AT STAFF
Executive sacked after exposing himself
M&S executive sacked after exposing his private parts to colleagues for ‘banter’ over 16-year period.
A Marks& Spencer executive who exposed his private parts to colleagues for “banter” has been given a suspended prison term.
Nigel Farrow, who was employed as a Health and Safety Officer by the retail giant for 27 years, used a series of excuses to show off his genitals while “having a laugh” with workmates.
Newcastle Crown Court heard, over a period of about 16 years, the 51-year-old exposed himself on eight separate occasions to six different women.
Farrow, who has never been in trouble before, said through his legal team he is not a “sexual predator” and that his behaviour was “workplace banter taken to grossly inappropriate levels”.
He has since lost his job with the retailer.
Prosecutor Jonathan Devlin told the court: “On a number of occasions, to various members of staff, of differing ages, he exposed his private parts in various circumstances.
“Once he claimed he had a rash and asked colleagues to look at it and matters of that nature.
“Members of staff, bearing in mind his status as, effectively, an executive officer, found it difficult, if not impossible to complain at the time.”
The court heard it was only when the last victim came forward this year that other colleagues got the courage to report similar ordeals.
Farrow, of Hill Street, Seaham, pleaded guilty to eight charges of exposure.
Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with supervision and 100 hours’ unpaid work.
Farrow must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.
Judge Adams told him: “You exposed your private parts using various excuses to do so to other members of staff.
“One such excuse being you had a rash and wanted people to look at it.
“Surprisingly, perhaps, for years and years no one made complaint. This must have been, in part, because of the position you occupied.
“It was not until the person who you exposed to this year made complaint that the others who had suffered as a result of your activities also came forward to say what you had done over previous years.
“You have lost your job you had for a number of years and you have lost your good name.” Lee Fish, defending, said : “It was grossly inappropriate banter.
“He is not a sexual predator.”
“It was grossly inappropriate banter” LEE FISH, DEFENDING