July 2014 Merseyside man who exposed himself to schoolgirls while behind the wheel of his wife’s car avoids jail A married dad cruised around his home town in his wife’s car exposing himself to schoolgirls. Phillip Donoghue, 25, indecently exposed himself to 15 girls aged between 11 and 16 near Weatherhead High School, Wallasey in May and June last year. The dad-of-one, of Norwood Road, Poulton, admitted nine counts of exposure and six offences involving indecent images of children. Kim Egerton, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court: “He is driving his car, a Ford Fiesta. He is on his own in the car with the driver’s window down. Several of the witnesses note that there is a ‘baby on board’ sticker in the rear window. “He drives past teenage schoolgirls and when close to them sound his horn to attract their attention. “As a natural reaction they turn to look at the defendant. “The defendant’s response is to look directly at the girls, lift himself from his seat, arch his back and raise his groin area. “He exposes his penis which he holds in one hand, his other hand being on the steering wheel.” Donoghue was caught after a girl he earlier exposed himself to saw his car and noted the registration. After his arrest, he was found to have 81 indecent images of children on a pen drive and a laptop. Judge Robert Warnock said treatment, and not immediate incarceration, was the “best approach” to tackle Donoghue’s “dark compulsion” for children. He was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence but must abide by a sexual offences prevention order, a supervision order and complete a mental health treatment programme and the Northumbria Sex Offender Programme. He was also banned from driving for two years. The judge warned Donoghue: “Fail to do it and I will simply send you to prison for a long time.” The court heard Donoghue had split from his wife following the offences. June 2014 Wallasey man admits flashing at school children A Wallasey man has admitted a string of offences involving him indecently exposing himself to young girls near a high school. Phillip Donoghue was told by a judge that he was concerned about his behaviour and danger to children. “It is clearly and manifestly obsessive and abnormal behaviour which affects children,” said Judge Robert Warnock. 25-year-old Donoghue, a father of one, pleaded guilty to nine offences of exposure and six offences involving indecent images of children. Judge Warnock said that he wanted a psychiatric report preparing as he had to decide whether Donoghue should go to prison or needs treatment. The exposure offences occurred on six days in May and June last year and involved 15 girls aged between 11 and 16. They largely occurred in the vicinity of Weatherhead High School, Wallasey. After his arrest he was found to have indecent images of children on a computer and USB pen drive. Donoghue admitted one charge of possessing 81 indecent images and five offences of making indecent images including videos Hayley Cooper, defending, said that Donoghue has been seeking psychological assistance since the offences. Donoghue, of Norwood Road, Poulton, Wallasey, was further remanded on bail to await sentence on July 16. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and barred from working with children.