Victim 'sickened' by flasher ordeal

A PERVERT who exposed himself to two women has avoided a prison sentence.

Craig Braham exposed himself to a 21-year-old woman as she walked on a canal path at Rode Heath.

The 20-year-old later shocked a woman by exposing himself as she walked to the shops.

Prosecutor Giles Rowden yesterday told North Staffordshire magistrates how the first woman had said 'hello' to Braham – who said 'hello' back.

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Mr Rowden said he approached her and she could see he had exposed himself, before the woman reported the June 19 matter to police.

But Braham exposed himself to another victim on August 7.

The pervert first left home at 9am and began walking to the shops in Kidsgrove and the woman then saw the defendant exposing himself, the court heard.

"He made no attempt to cover himself up," the prosecutor said. "She called him a dirty pervert and ran home."

Both victims were distressed and the second victim told in a statement how she used to go everywhere on her own but now uses buses and taxis.

She added she has been sick with stress since her ordeal.

The court was told Braham received a warning after exposing himself in 2009.

At the time he was the subject of a 12-week suspended sentence he received last November for sending a grossly offensive message.

Braham, of Third Avenue, Kidsgrove, pleaded guilty to two charges of exposure.

Steve Vasey, mitigating, conceded there needed to be exceptional circumstances for the suspended sentence not to be activated.

But he argued Braham needs help to address his offending.

"He explained he had exposed himself to these two individuals," Mr Vasey said.

"He could not explain what the trigger was.

"When arrested he was seen by a psychiatric nurse. That was the first time he had contact with anybody from mental health services.

"It is quite clear there is going to be a lot of ongoing treatment. He knows he needs input from the NHS."

Mr Vasey argued that if sent to custody Braham would be with similar offenders. He added a three year community order would be too much.

Magistrates said they wanted to rehabilitate and support Braham.

They marked the breach of the suspended sentence by imposing 20 hours unpaid work.

They sentenced Braham to a 36-month community order with supervision and requirements to complete the community sex offender group work programme and undertake the 'Facing Forward' 'structured intervention workbook'.

He must sign the sex offenders register for five years and was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order for the same period.

Braham must also pay each victim £250 as well as £285 costs.