SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER FOLLOWING A43 LAYBY EXPOSURE
A man who publicly exposed himself after stepping in front of a police vehicle has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to prevent any future incidents.On the evening of September 17, 2024, a Northamptonshire Police officer patrolling the A43 observed a parked van in a layby near Hannington.
During the patrol, the officer saw three men standing nearby; one of them suddenly ducked out of sight, then stepped in front of the oncoming police car, engaging in indecent behaviour.
Realising the police presence, the man attempted to flee towards his own car but was quickly detained and taken into custody.
The suspect, Daniel Michael, 33, was charged with exposure under section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which involves deliberately showing one's genitals with the intent to cause alarm or distress.
Michael denied the charges but was convicted at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on May 6.
The court later sentenced him on June 20 to a five-year SHPO, which forbids him from intentionally exposing his genitals in public or in private places visible to the public, unless prior consent is given.
The order also requires him to grant police or ViSOR team officers entry to his residence at any time.
In addition to the SHPO, Michael was ordered to pay fines totaling £1,153, along with a victim surcharge of £461 and £85 in court costs.
PC Lewis Marks of Northampton Response commented, “Daniel Michael’s actions that night were clearly deliberate and intended to shock.
Unfortunately for him, he didn’t know he was stepping in front of a police car.
“Some might think that offences involving public exposure aren’t serious or even amusing, but there’s nothing humorous about illegal sexual conduct in public.
“Locations like laybys are often hotspots for such crimes, which is why police patrols include these areas.
Members of the public, including truck drivers resting overnight, deserve to use these facilities free from offensive behaviour.
The SHPO is intended to prevent any recurrence of this conduct.”
