JAMES SCOTT OF SUNDERLAND PLEADS GUILTY TO PUBLIC INDECENCY IN HARTLEPOOL
In July 2014, James Scott, 34, committed an act of public indecency at a McDonald’s located on Marina Way in Hartlepool.CCTV footage captured him performing a sexual act on himself in full view of restaurant patrons, including schoolchildren, for approximately thirty minutes.
Scott entered the establishment without making a purchase and sat facing the main dining area, during which he had his hands down his trousers.
The incident, which occurred on November 7 of the previous year, was witnessed by multiple diners.
One witness, described as a student, observed Scott appearing to perform a sex act.
Staff members noticed his behavior and contacted police.
Prosecutor Sue Jacobs stated, “There were people within McDonald’s.
One described themselves as a student who saw him appearing to be committing a sex act on himself.
His actions made it clear what he was doing.
Women and children and students were present.
The incident was captured on CCTV.” Scott did not buy anything during his time in the restaurant and was found to have been engaging in this act for half an hour.
At the court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Scott, who resides on High Street East in Sunderland and claimed to be suffering from depression, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency.
His defense attorney explained that Scott, a former construction worker, was on anti-depressant medication and experiencing mental health issues at the time.
Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC described the event as “a prolonged act,” which led to Scott being sentenced to a three-year community order integrated with probation supervision, allowing him to work with authorities to address his mental health concerns.
