MARK BARROW ILFRACOMBE FLASHE R BANNED FROM CONTACTING CHILDREN IN DEVON

In August 2013, a disturbing incident in Ilfracombe, Devon, led to the arrest and subsequent legal action against Mark Barrow, a 22-year-old man whose actions caused significant distress to two young girls. The incident occurred as the two sisters, aged seven and nine, were walking home from school along Marlborough Road. According to court reports, Barrow ambushed the girls, approaching them on the pavement and crossing the street to get closer. Witnesses observed him stopping within arm’s length of the children before he pulled down his trousers and exposed himself, an act that was described as both obnoxious and highly offensive by the presiding judge.

Fortunately, Barrow’s actions did not go unnoticed. The girls spotted him entering a nearby Coop store, also situated on Marlborough Road, shortly after the incident. CCTV footage from the store captured his movements, leading to his identification and arrest. The court was informed that the girls were visibly shaken by the encounter. The younger girl was too traumatised to be interviewed, while the older sister, aged nine, expressed her shock and fear about going out alone in the future.

At Exeter Crown Court, Barrow, who was residing at Runnacleave Road in Ilfracombe at the time but is now homeless, pleaded guilty to the charge of indecent exposure. The court took into account his mental health and the need for intervention, imposing a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that bans him from having any unsupervised contact with children. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo mental health treatment as part of a two-year supervision order and to live at a location specified by the probation service.

Barrow had already served the equivalent of a five-month sentence while awaiting his case’s resolution. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, emphasized the severity of his actions, stating, “What you did was obnoxious and very, very offensive. If you do it again, you will face a long prison sentence.” The judge also highlighted the importance of support and rehabilitation, noting that Barrow, as a single man, does not need unsupervised contact with children. The court’s decision was driven by the involvement of young children and the serious nature of the offence.

Prosecutor Mr. David Bowen detailed the incident, recounting that at approximately 3:40 pm on May 12, the two girls were walking home when Barrow approached them. He crossed the street and stopped close to them before exposing himself. The court heard that the younger girl was too traumatised to be interviewed, while her older sister described feeling shocked, shaken, and scared about venturing out alone in the future.

Defence lawyer Mr. Jeremy Harris expressed that Barrow is eager to seek help for his issues and plans to find new accommodation in the Barnstaple area through the probation service. The court’s ruling reflects a combination of punishment and the recognition of the need for mental health support to prevent any recurrence of such distressing behaviour.