Great Harwood woman jailed for exposing herself to children

GREAT HARWOOD WOMAN JAILED FOR EXPOSING HERSELF TO CHILDREN

A woman who exposed herself to a group of children in a Lancaster park has been jailed.

Laura Mart, 35, who is a transgender woman, appeared before Preston Sessions House, charged with one count of indecent exposure and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The incident occurred on July 18, when the defendant, of Game Street, Great Harwood, was walking in Williamson Park, in Wyresdale Road.

A child who was playing on the monkey bars in the park saw Mart holding her penis and wiggling it at her, and she immediately told her friends and father.

At the time of the offence, Mart was subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and was prohibited from standing within 10 metres of a public place where children are expected to be.

The defendant has a history of similar offences, with four exposure convictions and an indecency charge in 2017.

Judge Andrew Jeffries outlined that due to the repetitive nature of her offending, he had considered an extended licence, but this was impossible under the guidelines for the offences.

He stated there is a real risk posed to the public and, if possible, he would have taken an extended licence, but it is not applicable for such an offence.

Rebecca Holmes, Mitigating, said Mart did not go to the park intending to commit the offence but couldn’t control her urge.

She also explained that while being transgender is no excuse, it is a complex issue to deal with.

Ms.

Holmes emphasized that Mart has shown efforts to control her behaviour since her last offence.

Judge Jeffries mentioned that her frankness in discussing her issues was a double-edged sword, as it also revealed the danger she posed.

Mart was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment with a lifetime notification requirement.