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'Flasher' dad targeted young women
A DAD exposed himself to women while driving his wife's car, a court heard.
Tony Barker, of Gray Street, South Shields, stopped at the kerbside and flashed five women in 20 days.
Gateshead magistrates heard the 27-year-old was caught after victims gave police a description of his wife's silver BMW convertible with its private registration number.
Barker admitted four counts of exposure.
Justin Gibson, prosecuting, said Barker's victims were in their late teens or early 20s, and he targeted them because they were attractive.
The court heard the women approached him when he pulled up beside them because they thought he was asking for directions.
His spree started on May 19 when he flashed a 19-year-old woman outside the gates of Shiney Row College, Sunderland, on May 27.
His second victim, aged 22, was standing at a bus stop on Old Durham Road, Gateshead.
The third, aged 20, was walking with a friend, also 20, along Great North Road, Newcastle, on June 3, and his final target, also 20, was walking on Kells Lane, Low Fell, on June 8.
Chris Kyle, defending, said Barker was embarrassed but doesn't know why he did it.
"He was under a great deal of personal strain at the time, both in his home and at work, but recognises this does not justify his behaviour," he said.
The court heard the offences have caused enormous distress to his family, who can't understand why he has acted as he did.
Since it happened, he has moved out of the family home in Glebe, Washington, and is trying to work things out with his wife.
Mr Kyle added: "He is extremely apologetic to those he knows he has caused distress.
"He is a married man, and can offer no explanation why he behaved as he did."
Sentencing was adjourned until a later date.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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