Serial Gosport flasher exposed himself to two women while performing lewd act
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Michael Champion, 36, of Landon Road, Gosport, has a string of previous convictions for flashing and exposing himself to shocked victims, a court heard today.
Details emerged when he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with two counts of indecent exposure.
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Hide AdThe first took place in December 2018 in Gosport when a terrified woman saw Champion performing a lewd act while he was ‘looking at a mobile telephone,’ prosecutor Graham Heath said.
Mr Heath said: ‘He was clearly seen by the (woman). He then turned face on and very clearly exposed (himself) to her.’
The court heard the victim ‘did not make a scene’ but reported Champion to police shortly after leaving the area.
Champion initially told officers, when interviewed in July 2019, that he did not expose himself, claiming the woman saw him adjusting his trousers.
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Hide AdBut the disgraced pervert was caught exposing himself again on February 27 this year by another woman.
Mr Heath said the victim was left in ‘shock and upset' over Champion's actions.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement she had been left ‘very concerned' about being alone.
He has admitted both offences.
Champion has been convicted for a previous string of similar exposure offences, dating from 2005 to 2015.
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Hide AdHe will appear at court at 2pm on September 13, when magistrates are expected to hear details of a probation report before Champion is sentenced.
Saleem Choudhury, mitigating, told magistrates: 'I think it's important you have an overall picture of this man before making your decision.’
Magistrates bailed the defendant.
The crime of exposure has a maximum sentence of two years in jail. Magistrates can impose up to 12 months in jail.
The case would have to be sent to a judge at a crown court to sentence anything above that limit.
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Hide AdCases are taken more seriously by the courts if the offender carries out a lewd act, and if the offence was targeted at an individual.
Champion’s case was repeatedly adjourned due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
Magistrates are hearing more cases on a Saturday each week to try and clear the backlog.
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