Philip Harding, 72, a repeat sex offender from Lye, Seend, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after exposing himself and pleasuring himself inside a charity shop in the Brittox area of Devizes, Wiltshire. The incident occurred on May 31, 2025, in the presence of a man and his young daughter.
Following an investigation, Harding was quickly identified, arrested, and charged with indecent exposure. He pled guilty to the charge at court. In addition to the custodial sentence handed down on July 18, Harding has been subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), placing strict restrictions on his future behavior.
Local Crime Investigator Shonna O’Harney, from the Volume Crime Team, emphasized the seriousness of the offense and Harding’s criminal history. “Harding is a prolific offender, and the community has expressed significant concern about his actions. Indecent exposure is a serious crime with lasting impacts on victims and can escalate to more severe offenses," she stated.
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O’Harney commended the bravery of the victim for reporting the crime, noting that community cooperation is essential in tackling such offenses and protecting the public.