HOMELESS MAN EXPOSES HIMSELF TO GET A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD
A homeless man who exposed himself outside a city hotel so he could be jailed and get a roof over his head said he was 'embarrassed' by his behaviour but was forced into the lewd act as he had 'no choice'.Peter Walsh reports that John Golden, 48, of no fixed abode, appeared before Norwich Magistrates Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to exposing himself at an earlier hearing.
Golden was arrested after exposing himself outside the Travelodge on St Vedast Street at about 1.50am on December 21.
He appeared in court last month but was remanded in custody until yesterday to allow reports to be carried out.
Golden had committed the offence so he would be arrested and sent to prison - giving himself a roof over his head.
He was given a 28 day custodial sentence, reduced to 21 days for his guilty plea, but was released immediately as he had already served 22 days.
He was also on the sex offenders' register for seven years.
Speaking after the case, Golden stated: 'I didn't want to do this.
It's really embarrassing but this is what you have to do in 2010 to get somewhere.
I know it sounds ridiculous but there was nothing else I could do.
I'm embarrassed to have to have done this but was going to freeze out there.
It was just to get a roof over my head.
I've tried to get somewhere to live - I've gone around half the country trying to get somewhere live with no success.'
