Poppy Day flasher escapes jail

Ricky Lee Robey (20), of Muglet Lane, Maltby, left Rotherham Magistrates' Court sentenced with a ten-week suspended sentence, 250 hours of community service and a curfew order after admitting pulling down his pants during the parade in Maltby last month.

Members of the public, armed forces and Royal British Legion were left horrified at his behaviour on November 8.

At an earlier hearing Mr David Marshall, prosecuting, described how one witness had said: "The curtains were down and you could clearly see him pull down his pants and expose his genitals."

Mr Steve Smith, mitigating, said: "What he did was wrong but was in no way out of disrespect for the parade and for those who have lost their lives for this country."

Mr Smith added that Robey had merely been trying to get the attention of a friend and it had just so happened that the parade was going by at the same time, at which point he stopped what he was doing.

He also described Robey's actions as "pathetic" and said that he had fully understood the "affront and outrage" he had caused.

District Judge for Rotherham, Mr John Foster, threatened Robey with prison at the earlier hearing, saying: "The behaviour was disgusting and it showed a marked and negligent disregard for what was a very emotional day."

Witnesses also claimed that a woman came to the window and lifted her top, exposing her breasts, but the 18-year old was later released without charge.  

Robey apologised for his actions and insisted that he had not meant any disrespect, adding: "I just feel sorry for what I did, there's nothing more I can say."

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and told he would be tagged for six weeks to ensure that he served a 9pm to 6am curfew.