MARK FERGUSON SHOCKS HACKNEY WITH TRAIN FLASHING NEAR CROYDON
| Red Rose Database
Hackney Sexual Abuser
In a case that has once again highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding sexual offences and repeat offenders, Mark Ferguson, a 48-year-old man with a long history of indecent exposure and related crimes, was spared immediate imprisonment after his latest offence in Croydon. Ferguson, who resides on Edmeston Road in Hackney, was found guilty of exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl on a train at West Croydon station on October 22 of the previous year.
Despite his extensive criminal record, which includes 15 convictions dating back to 1986, Ferguson was handed a suspended sentence by Croydon Crown Court. The court heard that Ferguson deliberately targeted the young girl, asking her about the destination of the Victoria-bound train before exposing himself and engaging in inappropriate behaviour by rubbing his thighs. He pleaded guilty to charges of exposure and breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) on December 6.
Judge Warwick McKinnon, the Recorder of Croydon, detailed Ferguson’s troubling history, which began in the United States nearly three decades ago. His initial convictions, five in total, occurred between 1986 and 1989, with sentences ranging from 30 to 90 days in prison for indecency and exposure. After a period of apparent reformation, Ferguson reoffended in 1992, serving 108 days for indecency, and again in 1995 with a 60-day sentence for similar offences.
His criminal activity continued into the early 2000s, with three more convictions for indecency between 2001 and 2003, before he moved to the United Kingdom. Since relocating, Ferguson has been convicted five additional times, including for disorderly behaviour in 2006 and indecent exposure in 2008, which resulted in a jail sentence and the imposition of a lifelong SOPO. His most recent conviction prior to this incident was in 2009, for playing a pornographic message over a phone.
The court was informed that Ferguson committed the latest offence just weeks after beginning therapy aimed at preventing such behaviour. Despite efforts to address his tendencies, the judge noted that Ferguson had been unable to cease his disturbing actions, describing his pattern of offences as “disgusting and extremely frightening.”
Following his arrest, Ferguson provided a prepared statement to police, in which he expressed remorse, stating he was “thoroughly ashamed and embarrassed.” His defence lawyer, Mark Dakin, explained that Ferguson was experiencing a difficult period, citing his mother’s hospitalization due to dementia and his feelings of isolation, as his family resides in the United States.
Ferguson was employed as a manager at Cash Generator on Croydon High Street but lost his job after his arrest. The maximum penalty for breaching a SOPO is five years in prison; however, Judge McKinnon decided that an immediate custodial sentence would not be constructive in this case. Addressing Ferguson directly, the judge emphasized the gravity of his repeated offences and the distress caused to the young victim.
“What happened on this occasion must have been a frightening and distressing thing for this 16-year-old girl to experience. It was disgusting and inherently intimidating, and is a serious matter,” the judge stated. “I could send you to prison, but it would achieve little except to punish you and put you out of circulation for that period of time. That may not be a particularly constructive sentence.”
Instead, Ferguson was sentenced to 12 months for indecent exposure and an additional four months concurrently for breaching the SOPO, both suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to attend a sexual offences treatment program and placed under supervision for 18 months. The court made it clear that should Ferguson breach the order again, he would face immediate imprisonment.
Despite his extensive criminal record, which includes 15 convictions dating back to 1986, Ferguson was handed a suspended sentence by Croydon Crown Court. The court heard that Ferguson deliberately targeted the young girl, asking her about the destination of the Victoria-bound train before exposing himself and engaging in inappropriate behaviour by rubbing his thighs. He pleaded guilty to charges of exposure and breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) on December 6.
Judge Warwick McKinnon, the Recorder of Croydon, detailed Ferguson’s troubling history, which began in the United States nearly three decades ago. His initial convictions, five in total, occurred between 1986 and 1989, with sentences ranging from 30 to 90 days in prison for indecency and exposure. After a period of apparent reformation, Ferguson reoffended in 1992, serving 108 days for indecency, and again in 1995 with a 60-day sentence for similar offences.
His criminal activity continued into the early 2000s, with three more convictions for indecency between 2001 and 2003, before he moved to the United Kingdom. Since relocating, Ferguson has been convicted five additional times, including for disorderly behaviour in 2006 and indecent exposure in 2008, which resulted in a jail sentence and the imposition of a lifelong SOPO. His most recent conviction prior to this incident was in 2009, for playing a pornographic message over a phone.
The court was informed that Ferguson committed the latest offence just weeks after beginning therapy aimed at preventing such behaviour. Despite efforts to address his tendencies, the judge noted that Ferguson had been unable to cease his disturbing actions, describing his pattern of offences as “disgusting and extremely frightening.”
Following his arrest, Ferguson provided a prepared statement to police, in which he expressed remorse, stating he was “thoroughly ashamed and embarrassed.” His defence lawyer, Mark Dakin, explained that Ferguson was experiencing a difficult period, citing his mother’s hospitalization due to dementia and his feelings of isolation, as his family resides in the United States.
Ferguson was employed as a manager at Cash Generator on Croydon High Street but lost his job after his arrest. The maximum penalty for breaching a SOPO is five years in prison; however, Judge McKinnon decided that an immediate custodial sentence would not be constructive in this case. Addressing Ferguson directly, the judge emphasized the gravity of his repeated offences and the distress caused to the young victim.
“What happened on this occasion must have been a frightening and distressing thing for this 16-year-old girl to experience. It was disgusting and inherently intimidating, and is a serious matter,” the judge stated. “I could send you to prison, but it would achieve little except to punish you and put you out of circulation for that period of time. That may not be a particularly constructive sentence.”
Instead, Ferguson was sentenced to 12 months for indecent exposure and an additional four months concurrently for breaching the SOPO, both suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to attend a sexual offences treatment program and placed under supervision for 18 months. The court made it clear that should Ferguson breach the order again, he would face immediate imprisonment.