Toilet-pervert pensioner performed sex act in Wakefield shopping centre
A pervert pensioner who was pleasuring himself in a shopping-centre toilet has been jailed.
John Wilson, who has been banned from standing at urinals in public toilets, committed the offence in The Ridings in Wakefield.
The 78-year-old was at asked at Leeds Crown Court this week if he admitted charges of sexual activity in a public toilet and breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and he replied: “I’m afraid that’s true.”
He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds where he was being held on remand.
Prosecutor Zanisha Herbert said a young man went to use the toilet in the shopping centre in early February, and found Wilson stood at the urinal masturbating.
The shocked witness quickly left and told a security guard, who informed the police. Wilson was arrested.
He refused to answer police questions during his interview.
Wilson, of no fixed address, has 12 convictions for 17 offences.
He has convictions for outraging public decency and sexual activity in a toilet.
He has a lifelong SHPO in place banning him from urinals in public toilets, with a stipulation that he uses cubicles only.
Mitigating, Imran Khan said Wilson had arranged to go shopping with friends that day but had gone for a few drinks.
Mr Khan said: “He believes that drink may have had an effect on his behaviour.”
He added: “He appreciates he needs help, in his own words he is an old man who has difficulty changing his behaviour.”
Judge Kate Rayfield told Wilson: “I have no option if I want to protect the public but to impose a term of immediate imprisonment.”
She jailed him for 12 months.