MARK PITTAWAY AND SHOCKING EXPOSURE IN PORTLAND

A man named Mark Pittaway has been found guilty of repeatedly exposing himself to schoolgirls while jogging around the town of Portland, a seaside community known for its scenic surroundings. The case has brought to light a disturbing pattern of behavior that persisted for over three years, causing significant distress among the young victims.

During a court hearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Pittaway, aged 60 and residing on Portland Bill Road, faced sentencing after a trial concluded with his conviction on five counts of public exposure. The charges relate to incidents spanning from January 1, 2018, to May 3, 2021, during which Pittaway was accused of intentionally revealing himself in public places with the intent to be seen and to cause fear or discomfort.

The prosecution, led by Elizabeth Valera, outlined how Pittaway’s jogging routine involved running mostly on Portland streets, often on the same side as his victims, primarily young females heading to school or waiting at bus stops. Court statements from four victims detailed how Pittaway would frequently jog past them, sometimes pulling his shorts aside to expose himself. One of the victims, who was only 13 at the time of the first incident, described seeing Pittaway expose himself about 30 to 40 times over the years.

The victims recounted their feelings of shock, disgust, and fear following these encounters. One victim disclosed in court that she has been seeing the same man since she was 13, and the repeated incidents have left her unable to walk the streets alone without feeling anxious. Another victim expressed her disgust and feelings of being made to feel 'weird' because of the defendant’s actions. Together, their statements highlighted the significant emotional impact this ongoing exposure had on their sense of safety and well-being.

The police took Pittaway into custody on May 4 of the previous year. During police interviews, he denied the allegations, claiming that he had never intentionally exposed himself. However, he did acknowledge that his shorts were very short, which, in his view, might have contributed to the perception of inappropriate behavior.

In court, the defense, represented by Gillian Jones QC, argued that Pittaway's actions did not involve any direct physical contact with the victims aside from him running past them. She also noted that devices seized from Pittaway's home revealed no evidence of further misconduct. Ms. Jones emphasized that Pittaway was genuinely remorseful and horrified to learn of the impact his actions had on the victims. It was further revealed that Pittaway was married, and his wife remained supportive of him; nevertheless, his actions had left a devastating toll on his family.

It was also mentioned that Pittaway worked as a compliance officer for over 35 years but resigned from his position following the allegations. The court acknowledged this history, with the belief that he could be properly managed and rehabilitated within the community.

The chair of the bench, Sara Saunders, addressed Pittaway directly, emphasizing the profound harm his actions caused to the young women involved. She commended the bravery of the victims for speaking out. Despite the gravity of these offences, the court decided to suspend Pittaway’s sentence, citing a reasonable prospect for rehabilitation.

Pittaway received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Additionally, he is required to complete 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, perform 250 hours of unpaid community work, and adhere to a 12-week curfew from 9pm to 9am. During this period, an electronic tag will monitor his movements. The court also ordered Pittaway to pay £620 in costs, along with £150 each to the four victims, and imposed a victim surcharge of £154.

Furthermore, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued for five years. This order prohibits Pittaway from exercising in public spaces unless he is wearing long trousers or knee-length shorts with no front fastening and restricts his jogging in specific hours and areas within Portland. He is also mandated to register with the police under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for a designated period, ensuring ongoing oversight of his behavior and activities in the community.