Man performed sex act while following OAP
A MAN seen pleasuring himself as he followed an elderly woman down a street in the early hours of the morning has been told he needs to get help.
A court heard Daniel Philip Joseph Ash has “around 20 urges a day” and usually satisfies those indoors – but on occasions when out and about.
Swansea Crown Court heard 23-year-old Ash was seen by CCTV operators in the early hours of September 18 walking near Stockham’s Corner in Neath town centre.
Frank Phillips, prosecuting, said the defendant was following an elderly woman along Windsor Road, though the woman appeared unaware of what was happening.
The court heard Ash had a large tear in the crotch of his trousers and could be seen performing a sex act on himself as he walked along. Police were alerted and the defendant was tracked down.
He initially denied touching himself – saying he had just been “adjusting himself”.
However in his subsequent interview he told officers that he has “around 20 urges a day” which he satisfies by masturbating.
He said he usually does it in the house but “sometimes” does it outside.
He told officers he was on medication to try to treat his problem but it was not working.
Ash, of Briton Ferry Road, Melin, Neath, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency.
Mr Phillips told the court the woman Ash was following was shocked when police told her what had been happening behind her and the incident has had a “massive impact” on her.
She is now said to be reluctant to go out and “lives in constant fear it could happen again”.
Lee Davies, defending, said his client realised his action in Windsor Road had been unacceptable.
Mr Davies said Ash understood he needed assistance and treatment to stop re-offending and “wants to overcome these urges”.
Judge Peter Heywood said Ash’s claim of having 20 urges a day was “an unhealthy situation that needs to be addressed – and the sooner you get help, the better”.
Ash was jailed for four months.
He was also made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register for the next seven years.