November 2016 Man admits indecently exposing himself in front of children A man has pleaded guilty to indecently exposing himself and performing a sex act in front of children in Ballymena. The court was told that there were boys as young as 11 in the area at the time. Michael Mark (52) of Hazelwood Terrace, in Craigywarren near Ballymena, appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court on Thursday where he admitted a charge of indecent exposure. He committed the offence at Currells Avenue on the banks of the River Braid at 4.50pm on Monday August 22. Mark was charged with intentionally exposing his genitals intending that others would see them and be caused alarm or distress. Originally the case had been listed as a contest but he pleaded guilty to the exposure charge after a second charge of indecent behaviour in a public place was dropped. A prosecutor said some members of the public said they saw a man standing with his trousers down below his knees performing a sex act upon himself with one hand while his other hand was placed on his “rear”. Police were called and caught Mark denied exposing himself. He said he was on his holidays and had cycled to the scene before stopping for a drink and a smoke. However, at court he entered a guilty plea. District Judge Peter King adjourned sentencing until December ordering reports prepared in the case before Mark appears again.