A WORCESTER man has been given a three year community order after he performed a sex act in a newsagents.
Waheed Iqbal, of Wylds Lane, pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (October 9) to intentionally exposing himself for someone to see and cause them distress.
Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, told the court the 39-year-old had gone into the shop on September 20 at about 7am and purchased a newspaper and a drink.
He asked the shop assistant where the adult magazines and DVDs were and he selected one and put it inside the paper before paying for it.
Mrs Lovegrove said: “Instead of leaving the store he hung around. The victim grew concerned as to why he had not left.”
She said she went to check and saw he had exposed himself and was performing a sexual act.
“She was concerned for her own safety and stunned. She did not know what to do,” Mrs LOvegrove continued.
“He then approached the counter and asked if she had any baby oil or cream.
“He made no effort to conceal himself with the newspaper.”
The court heard Iqbal left the shop when another man entered and the victim called the police.
In a statement to the court, the victim said she felt very worried about meeting the man again and is now concerned to be in the shop alone.
She felt very trapped behind the counter and found the whole act very disrespectful.
Defence solicitor Gary Harper, said: “There is little I can say as he has little recollection of the day.
“He was on a mix of alcohol and class A drugs.
“He’s a man of previously good character and this was something I suspect was unleashed by drugs and led to the offence being committed.”
Chair of the bench Charles Townsend, sentenced Iqbal to the community order with a 30 day rehabilitation requirement for substance misuse.
He must also be on the sex offenders’ register and must complete the community sex offender group programme with probation services.
Iqbal was fined £100 and was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, a £60 victim surcharge, £135 in prosecution costs and a £180 court charge.
