By Charlotte Webster-
A man caught masturbating in toilets at Clapham junction has walked away with a community sentence, but his personal image damaged.
John Walker from Clapham, (pictured)had already been cautioned twice by police when he was caught pleasuring himself while peering through a hole at his victim in the next stall on November 11 2022.
He was reported to police by a 16-year-old boy exited a toilet cubicle and saw a man masturbating next to the urinals on November 17 at 10am.
After reporting him to the police, Walker was arrested and charged with an offence of voyeurism. Despite his denials about getting any pleasure from the incident, Walker was convicted after a trial at Inner London Crown Court.
“When he sat down he saw a hole through the cubicle. When he looked through he saw you masturbating and he saw you looking through the hole… You were looking through, and the jury were sure you were doing so for sexual gratification,” presiding Judge Reid said.
His claims about the popularity of the South London railway station as a destination for gay men seeking sexual encounters was met with scepticism by Judge Silas Reid, who announced he was an ‘expert’ on the subject with knowledge drawn from dealing with cases of robbery and assault. “Clapham Common is better known,” Judge Reid told the Old Bailey on Wednesday, March 13.
The unsettling encounter occurred when the unsuspecting teen entered a public toilet and noticed a hole in the cubicle wall, through which he discovered Walker engaging in lewd behavior.
During the proceedings, Walker admitted to engaging in ‘cruising’ activities in the Clapham Junction area on November 11, 2022, implying his pursuit of sexual encounters.
In defense, Walker’s barrister, Tabitha Everett, expressed his remorse and understanding of the inappropriateness of his actions. She emphasized his sincere regret and the significant repercussions, including the loss of his job due to the conviction.
Judge Reid stressed the severity of voyeurism, highlighting the potential risks and concerns raised by the victim, particularly regarding the presence of children in such public spaces.
Despite acknowledging Walker’s preference for adult encounters, Judge Reid emphasized the inherent dangers of engaging in such activities in busy public areas like Clapham Junction Station.
Consequently, Walker received an 11-month community order, coupled with 40 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Reid issued a stern warning against repeating such behavior, emphasizing the inappropriate nature of seeking sexual encounters in public toilets and the potential impact on unsuspecting individuals using the facilities for their intended purpose.
Image: NQ