FLINT MAN GRAHAM GRIFFITHS FINED OVER INAPPROPRIATE ACT IN CHESTER

In July 2014, Graham Griffiths, a 59-year-old resident of Palace Close, Flint, was fined after being seen engaging in a sexual act inside a car.

The incident occurred early on March 28 on City Road, Chester. A schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was on her way to school when she observed Griffiths in a gold-colored Land Rover pleasuring himself. The girl was reportedly «shocked» by what she saw and expressed concern about other young girls potentially witnessing the same thing.

After witnessing the act, she walked away from the vehicle, found a passing police officer, and pointed him in the direction of the Land Rover. During police interviews, Griffiths initially denied the allegations, explaining he had gone to Chester after a long shift at work to purchase a bicycle for his wife. He claimed he was «messing around with a camera in the car while waiting» and denied filming passers-by or engaging in any inappropriate behavior.

However, at his first court appearance on June 4 at West Cheshire Magistrates Court, Griffiths admitted to the offences. Prosecutor Lionel Cope described the girl’s reaction, saying she was «shocked» and «worried about younger girls from her school seeing the same thing.»

During the hearing, Damien Sabino, representing Griffiths, stated that his client felt «shame, guilt, and remorse» about his actions. Mr. Sabino emphasized that Griffiths needed to restore trust with his family and community, highlighting his fear of losing his job due to the incident.

He also mentioned that Griffiths had been suffering from depression following a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Although the treatment appeared successful and Griffiths was in remission, the experience had left him with significant physical and mental effects.

Mr. Sabino explained that on the day of the incident, Griffiths had driven to Chester after a long work shift, intending to buy a bicycle for his wife. He arrived before the shop opened, and the camera in his vehicle was not used to monitor pedestrians nor did it record any footage of passers-by. He also pointed out that Griffiths had not made eye contact with anyone passing by, indicating he was not attempting to derive sexual gratification from being in a public space.

Further, Mr. Sabino highlighted Griffiths’s good character prior to the incident and noted that probation staff assessed him as being at a low risk of re-offending.

The magistrates fined Griffiths £370 for exposure, imposed a six-month community order with supervision, and ordered him to pay costs of £85 along with a £60 victim surcharge. The court gave him 14 days to settle a total of £515.