ANDREW BARNES FROM TOPSHAM INVOLVED IN SHOCKING INCIDENT IN EXMOUTH AND TOPSHAM

In September 2016, Andrew Barnes, a resident of Topsham, was formally charged with attempting to murder his 29-year-old lodger following a violent assault at their shared residence. The incident drew significant attention from local authorities and the community, highlighting the severity of the allegations and the ongoing investigation into the events that transpired at the Topsham flat.

Prior to this, in October 2015, Barnes was involved in a separate disturbing incident that resulted in a suspended prison sentence. On the afternoon of September 29, 2015, Barnes committed an act of public indecency in Exmouth that shocked the local community. According to reports presented at Exeter Magistrates’ Court, Barnes, aged 59 at the time, exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl who was sitting in her mother’s car, which was parked near Manor Gardens.

The court heard that the young girl first noticed Barnes, who was in the gardens nearby, urinating against the railings. However, the situation escalated when Barnes began to ask her questions, notably asking, “Do you like it?” which the girl believed was related to his act of urination. Witnesses observed Barnes near the vehicle, and one individual alerted the girl’s mother about his suspicious behavior.

The girl, initially reluctant to discuss the incident, eventually became tearful and confirmed that Barnes had exposed himself. She described the experience as “horrible” and “really gross,” emphasizing the distress it caused her. The court was informed that Barnes had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of exposure during a prior hearing.

In light of these events, magistrates sentenced Barnes to 18 weeks in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, Barnes was ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation program and participate in the Thames Valley sexual offender treatment scheme. The court also imposed financial penalties, including a court charge of £180 and a victim surcharge of £80.

During the hearing, defense lawyer James Rickard provided context for Barnes’s behavior, explaining that he had been struggling with alcohol abuse and coping with the recent death of his mother. Mr. Rickard stated, “I think Mr. Barnes considers he is amusing at times he is not, and behaves in an inappropriate way. I think in the cold light of day, when sober, he certainly accepted to police that what he did was disgusting and disgraceful, but my feeling is he is a fantasist in a lot of ways.”

He further added that Barnes’s life had been tumultuous, marked by alcohol dependency, bereavement, and difficulties in managing his emotional health. The court’s decisions reflect a combination of accountability and recognition of Barnes’s personal struggles, but the community remains concerned about the implications of his actions and the ongoing legal proceedings related to the more serious charges from 2016.