The Bolton (Manchester) Paedophile, Daniel Molan, 51, indecently exposed himself to adolescent girls and masturbated in their presence, yet received a suspended sentence and was permitted to leave the court freely (depicted outside Bolton Crown Court).
At Bolton Crown Court, Daniel Molan was subject to a potential three-year imprisonment according to sentencing guidelines after confessing to three counts of engaging in sexual behaviour in the presence of a child and two counts of outraging public decency; however, he received a 22-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.
His attorney, Paul Treble, stated during the hearing: ‘Daniel Molan has been transparent and forthright with the probation and psychological assessment.’ He has expressed profound remorse for his actions and feels a sense of humiliation regarding them. Consequently, probation has indicated that he is an individual they are prepared to collaborate with.
He is employed full-time and was characterised by his employer as possessing a strong work ethic. Although I do not dismiss the gravity of the act, the damage is rather minor.
The court was informed that Daniel Molan assaulted his initial victim, a 14-year-old girl, at 8 a.m. on a day in February 2022 when she was en route to her bus stop in Leigh.
Amanda Johnson, the prosecutor, stated: ‘While awaiting her bus, she observed the defendant in proximity.’ He was standing and gazing at her instead of observing the road for the bus. At that moment, although she observed the peculiarity of his behaviour, she contemplated it no further.
The defendant, Daniel Molan, thereafter displayed his genitalia to her. He stood gazing at her with his genitalia exposed, attempting to capture her attention. Fortunately, the bus arrived, and she promptly boarded. She did not report the event initially, believing it to be an isolated occurrence; nonetheless, she became a victim of the defendant again a week later.
Once more, she was at the identical bus stop at approximately the same hour. The defendant was present once more, attired in the identical garments. He once more displayed his penis to her; but, on this occasion, he commenced masturbating in her full view. The bus arrived, and she boarded. Upon her arriving at school, she notified a teacher of both instances.
In April 2022, following the Easter holidays, she was once more at the bus stop… This time, the defendant did not reveal himself; however, he was attired in the same apparel. She felt apprehensive and chose to stroll by him, recording him on her phone as she proceeded.
The footage was then submitted to the police. She articulated her discomfort and expressed concern regarding the possibility of the defendant exhibiting similar behaviour elsewhere. She expressed concern regarding younger children witnessing his behaviour.
Ms. Johnson recounted a subsequent incident: ‘Two 14-year-old girls were on the bus en route to school after boarding at Leigh Bus Station.’ They occupied the rear few rows.
The defendant, Daniel Molan, thereafter boarded and proceeded to the rear. He maintained two vacant seats between himself and the girls. The girls were accompanied by their buddy, who was first attracted to the defendant’s presence. He prodded her with his leg, prompting her to rise and distance herself from him.
One of the girls sensed that the defendant was observing her. She glanced at him and recognised that he appeared peculiar. He appeared to be experiencing pleasure. She pivoted and inserted her headphones.
Another individual likewise sensed that she was being observed. She observed the defendant, who had a bag resting on his knee, while he gazed at her legs. She then observed that he was engaging in masturbation and noted his exposed penis.
She subsequently contacted her mother to inform her of the situation. Her mother recommended that she report the incident, prompting one of the girls to inform the bus driver, who subsequently halted the bus and confronted the defendant. He extricated him from the vehicle and thereafter notified the police.
One of the girls expressed feeling “somewhat unsettled” by the incident, but stated she was fine. Another individual was notably more impacted and articulated that she evaluates all the men she encounters. She is anxious on the bus when a man boards behind her, fearing he may occupy the seat beside her.
The police conducted investigations and uncovered a comparable event in March 2022 involving three youngsters at Leigh Bus Station, where a similar description of the perpetrator was provided, and a police constable reviewed CCTV evidence. The defendant, Daniel Molan, was apprehended and interrogated on 13 June 2022. He refrained from making any remarks.
The court acknowledged that Daniel Molan, who was born in Romania, had a prior record of good character.
During sentencing, Judge Mr. Recorder Andrew McLoughlin stated: ‘You have specifically targeted schoolgirls, with one individual being victimised on two distinct occasions at the same bus stop adjacent to her school.’ While she acknowledges her mental resilience in not being significantly affected by the incident, others have regrettably experienced more repercussions.
The rationale behind your commission of these acts remains ambiguous, particularly in light of your age and absence of prior convictions. It is evident that you require substantial support regarding your unlawful conduct. I am confident that you will gain from this probation intervention, and hence I am persuaded that I can delay your sentence.
Daniel Molan was additionally mandated to fulfil 40 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 120 hours of community service. He must comply with the stipulations of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a duration of 10 years and register on the Sex Offender Register.
Three women, who were subjected to indecent exposure by the murderer policeman Wayne Couzens days prior to the death of Sarah Everard, have cautioned that such acts are not being taken seriously enough.
Earlier this month, Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley advocated for a modification of the legislation regarding flashing.
He contends that a football fan who streaks on the pitch should not be regarded in the same manner as a sexual predator.
Women and girls experience about 40 incidents of indecent exposure and voyeurism daily, on average.
Data from the Ministry of Justice indicates a significant decline in the number of individuals convicted of indecent exposure, down from 810 in 2016 to 435 in 2020, about a 50% reduction.
Solicitor Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women’s Justice, stated that law enforcement is not adequately addressing the offence: ‘Such behaviour may signify more severe, pervasive, and occasionally rising sexual offences.’
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.