A 19-year-old man has been given a community order after being found guilty of committing an indecent act with a children's rocking horse in a public playground and causing criminal damage.
Court finds teenager guilty of public indecency
Callum Green, of Alston Street in Hartlepool, was convicted of the offence following a trial at Teesside Magistrates' Court on October 15, 2025. The incident occurred on the morning of October 19, 2024, in Burn Valley Gardens, Hartlepool.
The court heard that Green behaved in a 'reckless' and 'indecent manner', committing an act that outraged public decency. The charge stated he used a rocking horse and a tree branch to carry out a sex act in the public playground.
Additional charge for damaging council property
Green also faced a separate count of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, to which he had previously pleaded guilty. This charge related to damage caused to the children's playground, belonging to Hartlepool Council, on or around October 18, 2024.
The prosecution stated he damaged the playground without lawful excuse, being reckless as to whether the property would be destroyed. A warrant for his arrest was issued in November when he failed to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing.
Community order and financial penalties imposed
Appearing before magistrates this week, Green was sentenced for both offences. He was handed a two-year community order with several requirements attached.
The court imposed the following specific conditions:
- 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days
- A 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement
In addition to the community order, Green was ordered to pay significant financial penalties:
- £650 in court costs
- £200 in compensation
- A £114 victim surcharge
The sentence means Green will not serve immediate prison time for the offences, which the court deemed suitable for disposal within the community with strict supervision and rehabilitation measures.
