Man Behind Drug Lab and Indecent Exposures Sentenced

MAN BEHIND DRUG LAB AND INDECENT EXPOSURES SENTENCED

A man arrested for flashing at women on a bus and a train was hiding a sophisticated ecstasy laboratory in his garage.

West Yorkshire Police discovered the lab when they visited Robert Smith's home following his arrest and detention in a psychiatric unit for a series of indecent exposure offences in front of women passengers on a bus and a train.

When officers later visited his residence on Back Lane, Ripponden, they found what was described as "a chemical laboratory" in the adjoining garage.

Prosecutor Clare Walsh told Bradford Crown Court that counter-terrorism officers were involved initially because the purpose of the laboratory was not known, but after an emergency interview with Smith, it was confirmed to be an MDMA lab.

The laboratory contained "a large range of hazardous substances" as well as flasks and other equipment.

During the search in February, officers also recovered various amounts of drugs and cutting agents.

More than £1000 worth of ecstasy was found, along with cannabis, ketamine, and GHB.

Smith, 35, had previously been jailed for four years at Croydon Crown Court in 2014 for his role in importing liquid cocaine in wine bottles, and it was also noted that his drug debt had influenced his recent offending.

His lawyer stated that Smith had his keys taken from him and that other men had been visiting his home regularly.

Smith expressed remorse for his repeated drug-related offences.

He pleaded guilty to concerns over ecstasy production and charges of indecent exposure and outraging public decency related to incidents on the bus and train.

The judge sentenced him to 32 months in prison for the drugs offence, with an additional six months for sexual offences, to run concurrently.

He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.