Man given hospital order after series of indecent exposures
A man has been given a hospital order for indecently exposing himself to several young women – mainly students – in the Selly Oak area last year.
Around 30 incidents were reported to West Midlands Police in March last year just before the first lockdown.
Although none of the women were touched physically, they were left alarmed and distressed by the incidents.
Riki Phillips, from Rubery Lane South, was arrested on March 24, 2020, after a member of the public saw him acting strangely.
Phillips resisted arrest, injuring two officers, but was subsequently taken into custody and charged with 25 incidents of indecent exposure, two assaults on police officers and a public order offence.
Following a two-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court, 33-year-old Phillips was sentenced on Thursday, April 8.
After sentencing was passed, DC Lyndsey Mason, from West Midlands Police, said: “We do not underestimate the impact of offences like these on people, it can leave them feeling vulnerable and afraid to go out on their own.
“We are grateful to those who had courage to report what happened to them and we believe there may have been more, but we hope today’s sentence brings them a sense of justice and relief.
“The support from the community was incredible and I would ask anyone who has been affected by these incidents to seek support if they haven’t already done so."
