A 65-year-old man caused 'serious distress' after sitting next to a mother and her young daughter on a bus while having an 'artificial penis' in his trousers, a court has heard.
Incident on the Bus
Andrew Heathcote sat opposite the mother and daughter on a 153 Arriva bus in Leicester on June 20, making eye contact with the mum and spreading his legs wide. The mother believed he was sexually aroused and told him his behaviour was inappropriate. She took a photo of him as he walked off the bus.
Heathcote later went to the upper deck and was seen coming down with his trouser belt undone.
Police Report and Arrest
The woman reported the incident to Leicestershire Police and shared the image on Facebook, urging others to report him if seen. Two weeks later, another woman who saw the post spotted him at a bus stop and called police. Heathcote was arrested and found with a sex toy in his hoodie pocket.
He appeared at Leicester Magistrates' Court on July 20 and pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Court Proceedings
Prosecutor Eleanor Watson said: 'By sitting on the bus with that in his trousers it was going to cause harassment, harm or distress. There was serious distress caused and there was significant planning. And there were children present.' She requested forfeiture and destruction of the 'artificial phallus', which was granted.
Heathcote, of Sedgefield Drive, Thurnby, represented himself, telling District Judge Rahim Allen-Khimini that his partner had been laughing at his anatomy, leading him to act. He said: 'It started because of my partner always laughing at my bits and bobs. I was on Facebook. I came across tablets to help the male to get bigger, sort of thing. It was too expensive, so I done it my way and got onto Amazon. People were laughing at me and I just wanted to be a man again.'
Next Hearing
The district judge ordered a pre-sentence report, saying: 'I don't know enough about you. We're going to have to adjourn and you will have an appointment with a probation officer. They will talk to you about the offence and your personal circumstances.'
Heathcote is due back at the court for sentencing on Wednesday, August 26.
