A Co Armagh man who chased after a 60-year-old woman on the Newry towpath before exposing himself and masturbating has avoided prison.
Carson Traynor, of Junction Row in Portadown, was handed – by His Honour’s Judge Patrick Lynch’s own admission – a “relatively lenient” sentence when he appeared before Newry Crown Court on Wednesday morning.
The 20-year-old, who continues to deny the single count of exposure, was found guilty after an earlier trial. He was handed a 30-month probation order in order for him to undergo “various courses to acknowledge and face up to your behaviour”.
Judge Lynch told the court the victim was walking along the Newry Towpath, close to the Mullahead Road, on June 21, last year when she spotted the defendant sitting down.
“It seems that she already apprehended that the defendant was a person not to be trusted so she turned back at that stage,” said Judge Lynch.
“The defendant then followed her; ran after her and when she turned around, the defendant had exposed himself and was masturbating.”
Carson indicated to the police at the time – and maintains the story – that it was not him and suggested the victim in this case actually made up this event for the purposes of assisting drugs dealers with whom the defendant had run-ins before.
“This,” said the judge, “is an outrageous suggestion”.
“It seems to me that you’re hiding from yourself and perhaps hiding from your family what you actually did? It clearly is a lie.”
The court heard how the victim was a vulnerable 60-year-old woman and was isolated at the time of the incident with nobody else around.
Reading from a victim impact statement, Judge Lynch continued: “Prior to this incident I loved going for a walk with my dog nearly every day without being worried at all. Since the incident I haven’t been going out on my own unless the area is well lit or plenty of people around….this incident has really impacted my sleep.”
In mitigation, defence barrister Gavyn Cairns outlined how his client had his own difficulties and that despite a caution for assault on police, had no previous convictions.
However, Judge Lynch commented: “No remorse has been expressed as indicated by virtue of the fact you’re still denying the offence and making this outrageous suggestion in relation to your victim.”
Carson was handed a 30-month probation order.
“The reason for this relatively lenient approach is that I feel that it is necessary for your sake and for the protection of the public that you should be required to undergo various courses to acknowledge and face up to your behaviour,” concluded the judge.
Carson was also placed on the sex offeners’ register for the next five years and handed a sexual offences prevention order for the next seven years.
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