MOD worker exposed himself to teenagers on Helensburgh-bound train

A Ministry of Defence employee has been condemned for exposing himself in front of two teenage girls on a train, with a sheriff telling him he should be ashamed of his behaviour.

Alan Beaton, 53, was so intoxicated at the time of the incident that he later claimed to have no memory of it. He only recognised what had happened when police released an appeal including his image, prompting him to come forward. He subsequently admitted a reduced charge of public indecency.

The incident occurred on Sunday, July 6 last year. Two girls, aged 16 and 17, boarded a train from Glasgow Queen Street to Helensburgh. At Dumbarton Central, Beaton got on and sat diagonally across from them despite numerous empty seats nearby, behaviour the girls found unsettling, the court heard.

Beaton, from Nursery Street, Helensburgh, was seen staring at the pair, leaving them feeling uncomfortable. They then realised his genitals were fully exposed. He was not touching himself and was holding his mobile phone. One girl texted the other to say he was staring; the reply read: "I think he has his full ballsack out." The prosecutor told Dumbarton Sheriff Court that Beaton appeared to have one hand over the other “as if trying to conceal what he was doing,” while one of the teenagers later said she believed he intended them to see, given how close he was sitting.

As the train approached Craigendoran station, one of the girls said she would contact the police. Beaton then stood up, put himself back in his trousers and left the train. A still image was later released on September 1 as part of a British Transport Police appeal, after which Beaton identified himself, attended Clydebank police office and was arrested. When charged, he said: "I was not aware of nothing." He pleaded guilty to exposing himself and committing an offence of public indecency.

At sentencing on January 6, the court was told he had been drinking heavily with his brother on the anniversary of a family member’s death and had no previous criminal record. His employment with the Ministry of Defence is now subject to internal proceedings.

Sheriff John McElroy KC said:

"This is disgraceful behaviour. You were substantially intoxicated and have no recollection at all. When police put out an appeal, you promptly advised them you were the person they were looking for. You are remorseful and express embarrassment. There is no evidence of ongoing risk. As a direct alternative to custody, Beaton must do 175 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months. There will be a review in three months, and the sheriff said he expected the report to be exemplary."

Image: British Transport Police