ROBERT SANCHEZ EXPOSES HIMSELF IN PLYMOUTH NEAR DRAKE CIRCUS AND CHARLES STREET
In December 2013, a disturbing incident unfolded in Plymouth involving a man named Robert Sanchez, aged 35, who was accused of exposing himself to two young schoolgirls at a bus stop near Drake Circus.The court heard that Sanchez initially claimed his inappropriate behavior was due to a 'wardrobe malfunction,' attempting to justify his actions as accidental.
However, during the proceedings at Plymouth magistrates' court, it was established that Sanchez had deliberately shown his genitals to the two girls, aged 13 and 14, outside the busy shopping area.
The incident took place around 4:45 pm on Charles Street, where the two teenagers were waiting for a bus.
Witnesses reported that Sanchez had his trousers down and the top of his boxer shorts rolled down, which drew the girls' attention.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the girls believed Sanchez was filming them because he was holding his mobile phone in their direction while exposing himself.
After the incident, the girls entered Primark to seek safety, but when they returned outside, Sanchez was still present at the scene.
The teenagers then called over a police community support officer, but Sanchez managed to slip away before authorities could apprehend him.
Law enforcement officials later reviewed CCTV footage of the incident, which was shared with The Herald.
An anonymous tip led to Sanchez's identification, and he subsequently surrendered himself to the police a few days later.
During police interviews, Sanchez claimed that his trousers' zipper was broken and denied pulling down his boxer shorts, insisting that his actions were merely a 'wardrobe malfunction.' Defense lawyer Will Willden stated that Sanchez later attempted to arrange a second interview to clarify his statements, which could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of guilt.
Sanchez also provided a letter from a psychotherapist he was seeing at the time.
Police investigations into Sanchez's electronic devices revealed no images or videos of the schoolgirls, which was a point of contention during the trial.
Ultimately, the magistrates sentenced Sanchez to a two-year community order under probation, including participation in an intensive sex offender treatment program.
He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and is required to sign the sex offender register for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions in Plymouth.
