In 2022, the Offender Database recorded that Leslie Croucher, then 53, of Baythorn Close, Buckland, Portsmouth, was sentenced for a “shocking” act of exposure in a popular public area. On Wednesday, 9 February 2022, Croucher appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he admitted to flashing at a female jogger in the Southsea Rock Gardens. The court reported that the defendant targeted the woman on a sunny Sunday morning, rubbing himself during the exposure.
The investigation established that the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 am on 4 April 2021. Hampshire Constabulary reported that Croucher exposed himself as the woman jogged past the beauty spot. Despite a frantic search and a public appeal that led to his location later that month, the defendant initially denied the charges, forcing the victim to attend court as a witness. He only entered a guilty plea on the first day of his trial, an act Judge Recorder Adam Feest QC noted had caused unnecessary distress to the survivor.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Croucher was a repeat offender, having a previous conviction for “flashing” to his name. Portsmouth Crown Court heard from his defence counsel, Hugh French, who acknowledged that the act took place in an open area frequently visited by families. The judge noted that the priority of the court was to protect the public from Croucher’s “grubby antics” and “seedy” behaviour. The prosecution reported that while no physical contact was made, the psychological impact on the victim was significant, leading her to warn the community via social media.
The judge noted that Croucher would be placed on the Sex Offenders Register immediately following his plea. For his actions in Southsea, Portsmouth, he was granted unconditional bail to appear for sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court on 10 March 2022, allowing for a pre-sentence report to assess the risk he posed. The judge noted that all sentencing options, including immediate imprisonment, remained on the table due to his history of sexual deviancy.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Leslie Croucher was handed:
- Sentence: To be determined at Salisbury Crown Court (March 2022).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated following his guilty plea.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court following a late admission of guilt.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Croucher is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Hampshire Constabulary and the National Probation Service. Due to the nature of the exposure and his repeat offending in Southsea, Portsmouth, his management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Croucher must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Baythorn Close, Buckland, for a duration determined by his final sentence. Authorities state that his history of targeting women in public beauty spots necessitates strict monitoring of his conduct. Any failure to notify the police of his movements or any further incidents of exposure will result in immediate arrest and a return to Salisbury Crown Court.
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