A serial flasher left four lone women horrified and in fear for their safety after he shamelessly rode around on his bicycle looking for vulnerable victims to target for shocking and “worrying” public displays of brazen sexual antics.
Mark Stuart caused “much misery” to the women and they had been left scared to return to the country tracks or fields where the “very serious” incidents took place. Sometimes, exposure offences like these could lead to women being raped or murdered, Hull Crown Court heard.
Stuart, 28, of Cottingham, admitted three offences of exposure between September 14 and 27, 2023, and another of outraging public decency. He originally denied the matters but pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial.
Michael Forrest, prosecuting, said that a woman was walking along a country road and a trail at Skirlaugh Road, Swine, Holderness, in the daytime of September 14, 2023 when Stuart rode past her on a bicycle. She later saw the same bicycle lying on grass and he was in some bushes. He exposed himself and was involved in sexual activity.
“She tried to get back to her parked vehicle,” said Mr Forrest. She telephoned her husband but Stuart pursued her down the track, got off his bicycle again, dropped his trousers to his ankles and continued his sexual activity. “She was able to get past him and back to her car,” said Mr Forrest.
The woman later said that she had never before for a second felt that she would feel so alone and scared. “Since that day, I was too scared to return to my usual walk,” she said. “It took me almost a year to get my confidence back.”
On September 17, 2023, a woman was in Hedon between 9.30 and 9.45am and walked onto a track. Stuart went past on a bicycle and, about five minutes later, she saw the bicycle again. She carried on towards Elsie Gate and saw Stuart exposed from the waist down and involved in sexual activity. She reported the incident to the police.
(Image: Humberside Police)
The woman later said: “I have been too afraid to go back there since what happened. Now I find it too daunting to go back there. It has changed my perspective on what is safe. I was literally so worried.”
On September 27, 2023 a woman was running along a Transpennine trail towards Hornsea at about 12.15pm. She saw Stuart and he overtook her while riding his bicycle. She saw him again on the track.
His trousers were around his ankles and he was involved in sexual behaviour. The woman ran to a police station and reported the matter.
Later that day, at 1.25pm, a female dog walker was on a field in Howdale Road, Hull, when she saw Stuart pushing his bicycle in the area of a track. She later saw him at a wooded area of a field. He was holding himself intimately and she shouted to him: “No wonder you have to play with yourself.” He left the scene.
Stuart was using the bicycle to cover large distances to seek out lone females on country tracks. “This is persistent action over a period,” said Mr Forrest. Stuart had convictions for three previous offences between 2012 and 2015, including dishonesty and possessing drugs.
Benjamin Donnell, mitigating, said that the outraging public decency offence was less serious than the three exposure offences. “It has been two years since this offending took place,” said Mr Donnell.
“There have been no issues since. The probation service has concluded that he does not present an imminent risk of serious harm to members of the public. The triggers are no longer applicable in the defendant’s life.
“He is genuinely remorseful. He has clearly reflected on the consequences of his actions and has done some inward looking. There is no immediate risk now. The defendant is apologetic.” Stuart was working.
Recorder Mark McKone KC told Stuart: “The offences were all in front of women. I take account of the impact on them. There were four victims in all. I regard these offences as very serious.
“The offences are also very worrying. Some people who expose themselves go on to rape and murder women. I hope that the police and the probation service will keep a close eye on you.
“You were targeting vulnerable victims on your bicycle. The victims were all lone women. You have caused much misery to women and come very close to an immediate prison sentence. I do think you are capable of being rehabilitated.”
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Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Aaron Aistrop from Humberside Police’s Criminal Investigation Department who said: “Stuart is a perverted individual, who believed he could act for his own sexual gratification and face no repercussions.
“He denied the offences and has completely disregarded the impact his actions have had on the victims and the wider community.
“I would like to praise the women for coming forward and for the bravery and courage which they have shown over the course of the investigation.
“We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, and we will continue to do all that we can to ensure offenders are brought before the courts.
“It is never the victim’s fault, and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to please report it to us. When you are ready, we will listen to you, we will believe you and we will support you.”
Stuart was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, a nine-month 8pm to 5am curfew and 30 days’ rehabilitation. He was ordered to pay £1,630 costs and was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He must register as a sex offender for 10 years.