British Transport Police arrested Butterworth at Neath station
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Swansea Magistrates Court
A PENSIONER caught exposing himself on a train to Swansea told an officer that he had 'hurt his head' and was checking an injury to his penis.
David Butterworth was travelling on a train travelling from Cardiff to Swansea on November 12 when he was confronted by a train guard who had been looking through carriages for a lost wallet.
Prosecuting, Sharon Anderson told Swansea Magistrates' Court: "He was asking if anyone had seen a wallet and noticed the defendant on a seat with his hands on his penis and his testicles, rubbing his erect penis."
She said he was removed from his seat and it was explained to him that this was not the way to behave on a public train.
"The defendant kept apologising and he said 'I hit my head last night on a tree and was just checking it'".
After being put on another carriage, the train guard returned to ask if anyone had witnessed the incident, but was satisfied that no-one had.
British Transport Police were alerted, and they met the train when it arrived in Neath and arrested Butterworth, who the court was told travelled the country living in a tent but who gave his mailing address as St Helen's Road in Sandford in Dorset.
The court heard the 69-year-old had told police that he had been camping, and had 'an injury to his genitals' and while on the train had taken them out to check it when the train guard saw him.
Sharon Anderson added: "He was taken into custody at Swansea police station and admitted taking his penis out of his trousers.
"He went on to admit the behaviour was unacceptable and understood how it could cause distress. He denied masturbating, but said an injury to his penis was causing discomfort, and denied that it was erect".
She added Butterworth had 36 previous convictions, 13 of which were of a sexual nature.
Mitigating, Anthony O'Connell said Butterworth had been diagnosed as being bi-polar and added: "I think it is inevitable he will be spending time in custody.
"The best thing going for him is he co-operated right from the start when stopped by British Transport Police, co-operated at the police station, and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
"He lives in a tent travelling around the country. He is not a heavy drinker, but had drunk that day and identified that as a potential trigger.
"He disputes what the report says that he has a fascination with his own penis".
Sentencing Butterworth to 26 weeks in custody, chairman of magistrates Claire Miles said: "The bench is very disturbed by this case".
Butterworth was also told he would have to sign the sex-offenders register for seven years.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/pensioner-who-exposed-himself-on-train-claimed-he-was-checking-an-injury/story-29940846-detail/story.html#767UMGZfj8w1LfJM.99
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