Crown offer no evidence in exposure case

RJ, an adult with autism and living in supported accommodation, was charged with exposure. The allegation was that he had entered a neighbour’s room uninvited and exposed his penis to her.

Initial representations were rejected by the Crown. The defence obtained a psychologist’s report which outlined that RJ had an IQ in the “extremely low” range, as well as a suspected learning disability in addition to autism. In light of the report’s findings, the likelihood of both the actus and mens rea being satisfied was significantly reduced. Renewed representations were served alongside this report, on both the evidential stage and the public interest stage, following which the Crown offered no evidence and a formal verdict of not guilty was recorded.

Violet was instructed by Jonathan Black of BSB Solicitors.