In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Malcolm Downes, then 61, of Spring Bank, west Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, was sentenced to eight months in prison. On Wednesday, 10 April 2019, Downes was jailed at Hull Crown Court after committing “totally disgusting” acts of outraging public decency twice within a 24-hour period.
The investigation established that Downes, who has a “long, long history” of sexual interest in horses, was first spotted on 18 February 2019 in a field in the Bude Park area of Bransholme, Hull. A member of the public initially believed he was urinating, but it soon became clear he was masturbating. After being arrested and released on bail, Downes was caught again within 24 hours by an off-duty female police officer near Bude Road, performing the same “reprehensible” act in public.
Criminal History and Recidivism
The court reported that Downes has been “unable or unwilling” to stop his predatory public behaviour, which dates back to 1974. His record includes:
- 12 similar offences related to public masturbation near horses.
- Nine breaches of an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO).
- Convictions for indecent exposure in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980 (four times), 2007, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
Judge David Tremberg emphasised that while Downes admitted he knew his actions were “wrong” and claimed to be “seeking libido-suppressing drugs,” his immediate re-offending while on bail demonstrated a “persistent” risk to the public. The prosecution noted that Downes admitted he “got a thrill” from the activity, despite acknowledging it would “frighten” any children who might have seen him.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, Malcolm Downes was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Eight months in immediate custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements (duration depends on the specific classification of the outraging public decency charge and prior history).
- ASBO/CBO: Previous orders banned him from “entering any field, stable, or area containing equine animals” in the Humberside Police area.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Downes is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Humberside Police. His “systematic” targeting of equine areas and his “abhorrent” acts in public mean his movements remain under “critical” scrutiny.
As a registered sex offender, Downes must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address at Spring Bank, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. Authorities state that his history of 35 crimes necessitates “persistent” community monitoring. Any breach of his registration conditions or a return to equine areas following his release will result in his immediate return to Hull Crown Court.
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