WALLASEY MAN PHILLIP DONOGHUE EXPOSES HIMSELF TO SCHOOLGIRLS NEAR WEATHERHEAD HIGH SCHOOL

In a disturbing series of incidents in Wallasey, Phillip Donoghue, a 25-year-old man from Norwood Road, Poulton, engaged in a pattern of indecent exposure targeting schoolgirls near Weatherhead High School. The troubling behavior took place over several days in May and June of the previous year, during which Donoghue deliberately drove his wife’s Ford Fiesta through the streets, often with the window down, in an apparent attempt to attract the attention of young girls.

According to court proceedings, witnesses observed Donoghue driving past teenage schoolgirls, sounding his horn to draw their attention. When the girls looked in his direction, he would respond by lifting himself from his seat, arching his back, and exposing his genitals, which he held in one hand while steering with the other. This pattern of behavior was reported by multiple witnesses, many of whom noted that the vehicle displayed a 'baby on board' sticker in the rear window, further highlighting the disturbing nature of his actions.

The incidents came to light after one girl, who had previously been exposed to Donoghue, saw his car and noted the registration number. This led to his arrest, during which authorities discovered that he possessed 81 indecent images of children stored on a pen drive and a laptop. The images included videos and other indecent material involving minors.

During the court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, prosecutor Kim Egerton detailed the extent of Donoghue’s misconduct. She described how he was alone in his vehicle, with the window down, and how his actions were clearly targeted at vulnerable young girls. The court was also informed that Donoghue had admitted to nine counts of exposure and six offences related to indecent images of children.

Judge Robert Warnock expressed concern over Donoghue’s psychological state, emphasizing that his behavior was driven by a dark and compulsive urge. Rather than immediate imprisonment, the judge believed that treatment was the most appropriate course of action to address his underlying issues. Consequently, Donoghue was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also subjected to a series of strict conditions, including a sexual offences prevention order, a supervision order, and mandatory participation in mental health and sex offender treatment programs, notably the Northumbria Sex Offender Programme.

Additionally, Donoghue was banned from driving for two years, with the judge warning that failure to comply with these conditions could result in a lengthy prison sentence. The court also noted that Donoghue had recently separated from his wife following these offences, adding a personal dimension to the case. The judge’s final warning underscored the seriousness of his actions: “Fail to do it and I will simply send you to prison for a long time.”