WALTER ALLAN MUSSLEBURGH SERIAL FLASHER JAILED FOR PORTOBELLO INCIDENTS

In December 2017, a man from Musselburgh named Walter Allan was sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing public indecency offences. The case came to light largely due to the quick thinking of two young sisters who were targeted during their holiday in Edinburgh in August 2015.

Allan, aged 51 at the time, was observed on Portobello Promenade, standing at the beachfront with his trousers lowered, exposing himself to the two girls, aged nine and 14. Witnesses reported that Allan appeared to be deliberately looking at the children as he engaged in the act of fondling himself, which was clearly visible to those nearby. The older girl managed to capture an image of Allan on her mobile phone, a crucial piece of evidence that ultimately led to his identification and arrest.

It was revealed during court proceedings that Allan has an extensive criminal history related to similar offences, dating back over three decades. His record includes multiple convictions for exposing himself to minors, with previous jail terms for such misconduct. Allan, who resides at Champigny Court in Musselburgh, was also linked to another incident on the same day, August 9, 2015, when he exposed himself to a third young girl while sitting on a beach front wall.

Further allegations against Allan include an incident eight months later, when he admitted to exposing himself inside an Asda store in Stenhousemuir, leaning against a wall. This pattern of behaviour demonstrated a persistent and troubling history of sexual misconduct involving minors.

During a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Michael O’Grady QC described Allan’s record as “horrific” and emphasized the seriousness of his actions. Allan was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for three years and will be subject to 12 months of supervised release following his incarceration, as part of an extended sentence.

The court was informed that the victims, the nine-year-old and 14-year-old sisters, were on holiday with their parents when Allan targeted them. The incident occurred around 5 pm on August 9, 2015, when Allan approached the girls on the beach front at Portobello, dropped his trousers, and exposed himself. The older girl quickly alerted her parents and managed to take a photograph of Allan, which proved instrumental in his subsequent arrest.

Allan was apprehended in April 2016 after being seen “muttering to himself” while leaning against a wall inside an Asda store in Stenhousemuir, where he again exposed himself to shoppers. This incident was linked back to the earlier offences at Portobello, confirming a pattern of predatory behaviour.

During the court hearing, Allan’s defence lawyer, Joe Boyd, argued that his client had “little recollection” of the offences, citing “excessive drinking and the taking of legal highs” as contributing factors. However, Sheriff O’Grady was unequivocal in his judgment, stating, “You have a horrific record for this kind of sexual offending. It is absolutely clear to me that a custodial sentence is inevitable. You have taken no responsibility and have no intention of addressing your behaviour.”