COLIN RANKIN REPTON AND SWADLINCOTE SERIAL FLASHER SENTENCED TO 14 MONTHS IN PRISON

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Repton and Swadlincote, 69-year-old Colin Rankin has been sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison after admitting to multiple indecent exposure offences and possession of cannabis. The incidents, which spanned from April 2008 to January 2009, involved Rankin exposing himself to teenage girls on four separate occasions, causing significant concern among residents and authorities alike.

According to court records, the offences began in April 2008 when Rankin was seen exposing himself to two teenage girls in Swadlincote. The disturbing pattern continued when he was spotted by a passer-by outside a shop in Newhall, also in Swadlincote, engaging in similar behaviour. The most recent incidents occurred on January 22, 2009, in Repton, where Rankin twice exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl on Burton Road. These repeated acts of indecency prompted a thorough investigation by local police.

During the court proceedings at Derby Crown Court, prosecutor David Outterside detailed the series of offences, emphasizing the repeated nature of Rankin’s actions and the distress caused to the victims. In addition to the exposure offences, police found a significant quantity of cannabis at Rankin’s residence on Cleveland Avenue, which included growing equipment and plants with an estimated street value of approximately £675. Rankin pleaded guilty to possession of the controlled substance, further complicating his legal situation.

Judge John Burgess presided over the case and sentenced Rankin to six months for the exposure offences and an additional six months for the cannabis possession. The sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in a combined imprisonment term of 14 months. Furthermore, Rankin received an extra week’s imprisonment for breaching a previous court order related to two earlier exposure offences. As part of his sentence, he was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years, reflecting the severity of his actions and the potential risk to the community.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in addressing such disturbing behaviour within local communities. The residents of Repton and Swadlincote are now left to reflect on the impact of Rankin’s actions and the justice served through the legal process.