Man who exposed himself to child in McDonald's 'misunderstood cultural boundaries'

MAN WHO EXPOSED HIMSELF TO CHILD IN MCDONALD'S 'MISUNDERSTOOD CULTURAL BOUNDARIES'

A MAN who exposed himself to a six-year-old girl in McDonald's and two women in a sauna said he was confused about “cultural boundaries” in the UK.

Yaroslav Fedotov, 45, of Harwich Road, Colchester, appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court last Wednesday after admitting three charges of indecent exposure.

The court heard Fedotov exposed himself to a six-year-old girl sitting with her father and infant brother in McDonald's, in Cowdray Avenue, in September 2024.

Celestia John-Baptiste, prosecuting, said the incident was captured on CCTV.

The father’s victim impact statement was heard in court, which detailed his daughter’s distress, as well as the toll on his own mental health.

The incident was also photographed and described as involving Fedotov's actions in a McDonald's, where he said he "misunderstood cultural boundaries" in the UK.

In October last year and January of this year, Fedotov exposed himself to two women in a sauna at Aqua Springs, Cowdray Avenue, where he moved his shorts up and sat with his legs apart, making eye contact with the women.

Mr.

Demchuk, mitigating, said Fedotov had come to the UK after being displaced by the war in Ukraine and had been away from his wife and son for two years.

He maintained that Fedotov "misunderstood cultural boundaries" and that the offences were "out of character" and committed without harm or distress, and that he was ashamed.

Fedotov was initially denying one charge but changed his plea before the trial.

The magistrates sentenced him to a suspended 24-week prison term, imposed 40 days of rehabilitation, a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, costs of £554, and a GPS monitor for six months.

He is also not permitted to enter Castle Park, Leisure World, or McDonald's.