Second sex conviction for flasher priest (From The Northern Echo)

Second sex conviction for flasher priest

10:34am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Newton Aycliffe News By Chris Fay, Reporter (Sedgefield)

A SELF-PROCLAIMED priest has been convicted of his second sexual offence in as many weeks after he indecently exposed himself to a doctor during a medical examination.

Royston Thompson, a priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, appeared in court yesterday following Tuesday’s examination.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that the 25-year-old attended the Darlington surgery complaining of back pain and was examined by a female doctor.

Claire Brinton, prosecuting, said that during the examination, Thompson complained of pain in his testicles and asked her to examine them too.

Miss Brinton said the doctor suggested Thompson make an appointment with a male colleague but agreed to the examination at his insistence.

She said that the doctor asked him to drop his trousers and move behind a curtain, whereupon he touched himself sexually.

Miss Brinton said: “The doctor did go on to examine his testicles and said there was nothing wrong, only for the defendant to ask if she was sure and did she need to check them again.”

After the examination, Thompson asked the doctor: “How was that for you, was that all right?”

Thompson, of Melland Street, Darlington, was convicted of exposing himself to a woman in Darlington, on August 10, following a trial on January 19.

Magistrates then heard he left a “love note” on a woman’s car only to expose himself to her when she returned to it.

He told the court he was inspired after watching glamour models flirting with strangers on late-night television show Babe Station.

Thompson was awaiting sentence but had received an interim order to sign the sex offenders’ register when he exposed himself to the doctor.

Ben Pegman, mitigating, said Thompson had mental health issues and had not committed a sexual offence until a recent issue with his medication.

Mr Pegman said: “He needs to get back to the medical regime that he has departed from, which has disinhibited him and allowed him to commit these offences, which need to be nipped in the bud before they develop into anything more serious or sinister.”

Thompson was remanded into custody for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and will be sentenced for both offences on February 17.