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Senior judge cleared of flashing | Senior judge cleared of flashing |
(11 minutes later) | |
One of Britain's most senior judges has been cleared of exposing himself twice to a woman on packed commuter trains. | One of Britain's most senior judges has been cleared of exposing himself twice to a woman on packed commuter trains. |
Sir Stephen Richards, 56, of Wimbledon, south-west London, was accused of flashing at the same woman on trains in the area on 16 and 24 October 2006. | Sir Stephen Richards, 56, of Wimbledon, south-west London, was accused of flashing at the same woman on trains in the area on 16 and 24 October 2006. |
But the Court of Appeals judge told magistrates the allegations were a case of mistaken identity. | |
City of Westminster magistrates said the evidence to identify Sir Stephen was insufficient. | City of Westminster magistrates said the evidence to identify Sir Stephen was insufficient. |
'Truthful evidence' | 'Truthful evidence' |
They said in the absence of any evidence supporting the judge's identification and "for this reason only" they could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. | They said in the absence of any evidence supporting the judge's identification and "for this reason only" they could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. |
We look forward to resuming a normal life and in my case in getting back to my full judicial duties Sir Stephen | We look forward to resuming a normal life and in my case in getting back to my full judicial duties Sir Stephen |
After hearing the evidence, Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said the case came down to Sir Stephen's word against the woman's. | After hearing the evidence, Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said the case came down to Sir Stephen's word against the woman's. |
However, he said the woman, a City worker in her 20s, gave "clear, dignified and truthful evidence". | However, he said the woman, a City worker in her 20s, gave "clear, dignified and truthful evidence". |
He blamed British Transport Police for failing to investigate the allegation promptly or thoroughly. | He blamed British Transport Police for failing to investigate the allegation promptly or thoroughly. |
"Had they done so, they would have been able to obtain CCTV from the train on October 24 and probably on October 16," he said. | "Had they done so, they would have been able to obtain CCTV from the train on October 24 and probably on October 16," he said. |
"That evidence may well have supported her identification and, equally, may have exonerated Sir Stephen." | "That evidence may well have supported her identification and, equally, may have exonerated Sir Stephen." |
A BTP spokesman said the force took "seriously" any allegations of offences of a sexual or indecent nature. | |
"BTP has treated this case as it would any case of a similar nature, no matter who the defendant," she said. | |
'Tremendous support' | 'Tremendous support' |
Speaking outside the court beside his wife Lucy, Sir Stephen said: "Throughout this case, I have put my trust in the legal process and I'm delighted that it has enabled me to clear my name. | Speaking outside the court beside his wife Lucy, Sir Stephen said: "Throughout this case, I have put my trust in the legal process and I'm delighted that it has enabled me to clear my name. |
"Lucy and I would like to express our deep gratitude to our family and friends for their tremendous kindness and support over the last few weeks. | "Lucy and I would like to express our deep gratitude to our family and friends for their tremendous kindness and support over the last few weeks. |
"We look forward to resuming a normal life and in my case in getting back to my full judicial duties." | "We look forward to resuming a normal life and in my case in getting back to my full judicial duties." |
During the two-day trial, the court heard she had allegedly captured Sir Stephen on a mobile phone and identified him at a video identity parade. | During the two-day trial, the court heard she had allegedly captured Sir Stephen on a mobile phone and identified him at a video identity parade. |
Sir Stephen had pleaded not guilty to two counts of "intentionally exposing his genitals intending that someone would see them and would be caused alarm or distress". | Sir Stephen had pleaded not guilty to two counts of "intentionally exposing his genitals intending that someone would see them and would be caused alarm or distress". |
The father-of-three told City of Westminster Magistrates' Court he could not "perceive deriving any form of gratification" from such an act. | The father-of-three told City of Westminster Magistrates' Court he could not "perceive deriving any form of gratification" from such an act. |
While giving evidence, Sir Stephen held up a pair of Calvin Klein underpants similar to those he wears to show the difficulty of exposing himself in them. |