LEE FARRELL FROM DEANE JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN BOLTON SUPERMARKET

In a serious case that has shocked the local community, Lee Farrell, a man with a disability residing in Deane, has been sentenced to prison after a disturbing incident at a supermarket in Bolton. The incident took place in February at the Morrisons store located in Bolton town centre, where Farrell was caught exposing himself to two young children in the store’s foyer area.

Farrell, aged 40, was already under a three-year community order at the time, which was imposed following a previous offence of a similar nature that occurred in 2008. That earlier incident involved Farrell exposing himself in a car park on Park View Road in Deane. Despite his prior cautions, Farrell’s behavior persisted, leading to this more recent and alarming event.

According to Preston Crown Court, Farrell’s actions on the day in question were described as “lewd and disgusting” by Judge Heather Lloyd. She sentenced him to 18 weeks in jail, emphasizing the severity of his conduct. The judge stated, “You deliberately exposed yourself to those two young children in a busy shopping area. You had spied on them and had been looking at them for some time. Though there was no physical contact, the offence obviously caused them alarm and distress.”

On February 10, witnesses reported that a girl and a boy saw Farrell exposing himself in the Morrisons supermarket. The girl quickly ran to her mother, and Farrell was identified and pointed out to store staff and police. Farrell attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had been to the toilet and was readjusting his clothing, asserting that the children had misunderstood what they saw. However, the court did not accept his explanation.

It was also revealed that Farrell has a history of similar offences, having received two previous cautions for exposure. As part of his sentence, Farrell will be required to register as a sex offender for the next seven years. Additionally, he has been banned from working with children for five years and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration. These measures aim to protect the community and prevent any future incidents involving Farrell.