DALE TOPPING SHAMES ANGLESEY WITH BRIDGE AND FOOTBRIDGE FLASHING INCIDENTS

In a series of disturbing incidents that took place in Anglesey and surrounding areas, Dale Keiron Topping, aged 26, became the subject of a serious criminal case after engaging in a pattern of indecent exposure and lewd behaviour over a span of two months spanning late 2019 and early 2020.

One of the earliest recorded offences occurred on November 6, 2019, when Topping parked his vehicle in a lay-by along the A5 in Anglesey. From this concealed vantage point, he waited in the darkness for a female jogger to pass by. When she finally ran past, Topping was reportedly standing there with his penis exposed, hands on his hips, and a sinister smile on his face. As she attempted to continue her run, he went further by slapping her bottom, an act that added to the distress caused by his behaviour.

Less than a month later, on December 22, 2019, Topping was observed on a footbridge over the A55 near the village of Llanfairpwll. Witnesses, including a family in a car, saw him waving his penis at passing traffic. The judge described the scene, stating, “Your hand was in the air and you were waving your penis at the traffic,” highlighting the blatant nature of his indecent act.

The pattern of offending continued into January 2020. On January 8, Topping targeted two women who were out jogging in Gwynedd. As they approached him, he pulled down his trousers and exposed himself. The women managed to get into their car and drove past him, during which they took a photograph of his actions. Despite denying the allegations of exposure and sexual assault, Topping was ultimately convicted after a trial.

Prosecutor Simon Mintz emphasized the impact of Topping’s actions, noting that the first victim now carries a personal attack alarm, and her husband is concerned about her safety when she goes out running. Another jogger revealed that she now avoids the area altogether to escape the threat posed by Topping. A third victim, who witnessed the incident from her car, expressed feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and vulnerability, underscoring the lasting psychological effects of his behaviour.

Prior to his conviction, Topping had lost his job as a mechanic when the allegations first surfaced. His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands described his crimes as “terrifying” and noted they appeared to be part of a “campaign of depraved behaviour” driven by his own sexual gratification. The judge also remarked on the absence of remorse or understanding of the severity of his actions.

Sentencing included an eight-month prison term for exposure and a ten-month sentence for sexual assault, both to run concurrently. Additionally, Topping was subjected to a three-year restraining order, required to register as a sex offender for ten years, and barred from working with children or vulnerable adults upon his release. These measures aim to prevent further harm and protect the community from his predatory behaviour.