SIMON HAWKINS EXPOSES HIMSELF ON BUSY TYNE SIDE ROAD NEAR BENWELL AND JESMOND

In a disturbing incident that took place in July 2023, Simon Hawkins, a man with a troubling criminal history, was caught engaging in a lewd act in front of numerous passers-by along a bustling street on Tyneside. Hawkins, aged 45, who is registered as a sex offender due to prior convictions involving indecent images of children in 2020, was observed performing a sexual act at the window of his residence on Osborne Road, located in Jesmond.

According to court reports, three witnesses saw Hawkins exposing himself and engaging in the act, which they believed he was performing for the purpose of voyeurism. It was noted that Hawkins appeared to be watching for young females passing by, raising serious concerns about his intentions and the potential risk to the public. The witnesses also expressed alarm that families with young children were present on the street at the time and could have easily seen his actions.

Following the reports, Hawkins was reported to the police and subsequently arrested. It was revealed that he had previously resided on Osborne Road but had since moved to Benwell Hall Drive, in Benwell. During the court proceedings, Hawkins pleaded guilty to a charge of exposure, a decision that followed an initial denial of the offence.

Prosecutor Claire Armstrong told Newcastle Magistrates’ Court that the first witness observed Hawkins on February 26 of the previous year, looking through the window of his home with his trousers down, actively performing a sexual act. She described the incident as lasting approximately 45 minutes, during which the street remained busy with pedestrians, including young female students and families with children. The witness noted that Hawkins only emerged from behind a curtain when young females were passing by his house.

A second witness expressed feelings of shock and discomfort upon witnessing Hawkins’ behaviour, emphasizing the distress caused by his actions, especially considering the presence of children on Osborne Road. The witnesses’ accounts underscored the potential danger and the unsettling nature of the incident.

It was also revealed during the court hearing that Hawkins has a criminal record comprising three previous offences related to indecent images of children, all committed in 2020. As part of his prior sentence, he was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and was required to register as a sex offender for the same duration.

In light of his guilty plea, Hawkins was sentenced to six weeks in prison, a sentence that was suspended for 18 months, reflecting the court’s consideration of his criminal history and the nature of the offence. The case highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and the monitoring of individuals with a history of sexual offences in the Tyneside area.