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Judge 'could face flashing quiz' | Judge 'could face flashing quiz' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A judge cleared of exposing himself to a woman on a train may be questioned again after police confirmed two women had complained of similar incidents. | A judge cleared of exposing himself to a woman on a train may be questioned again after police confirmed two women had complained of similar incidents. |
Sir Stephen Richards, 56, of Wimbledon, south-west London, was found not guilty of two counts of indecent exposure. | Sir Stephen Richards, 56, of Wimbledon, south-west London, was found not guilty of two counts of indecent exposure. |
City of Westminster magistrates trying the case said police had failed to investigate the matter thoroughly. | City of Westminster magistrates trying the case said police had failed to investigate the matter thoroughly. |
British Transport Police said it was investigating complaints by two women about incidents on the same route. | British Transport Police said it was investigating complaints by two women about incidents on the same route. |
Identity parade | Identity parade |
Sir Stephen was accused of flashing at the same woman on trains in the Wimbledon area on 16 and 24 October 2006. | |
During the trial the Court of Appeal judge held up a pair of Calvin Klein underpants, similar to those he wears, to show the difficulty of exposing himself in them. | During the trial the Court of Appeal judge held up a pair of Calvin Klein underpants, similar to those he wears, to show the difficulty of exposing himself in them. |
The court heard the woman had allegedly captured Sir Stephen on a mobile phone and identified him at a video identity parade. | The court heard the woman had allegedly captured Sir Stephen on a mobile phone and identified him at a video identity parade. |
But he maintained the allegations were a case of mistaken identity. | But he maintained the allegations were a case of mistaken identity. |
City of Westminster magistrates said the evidence to identify Sir Stephen was insufficient. | City of Westminster magistrates said the evidence to identify Sir Stephen was insufficient. |
Truthful evidence | Truthful evidence |
They said in the absence of any evidence supporting the judge's identification and "for this reason only" they could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. | They said in the absence of any evidence supporting the judge's identification and "for this reason only" they could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. |
However, Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said the woman, a City worker in her 20s, gave "clear, dignified and truthful evidence". | However, Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said the woman, a City worker in her 20s, gave "clear, dignified and truthful evidence". |
He blamed British Transport Police (BTP) for failing to investigate the allegation promptly or thoroughly. | He blamed British Transport Police (BTP) for failing to investigate the allegation promptly or thoroughly. |
Judge Workman said had they been able to obtain CCTV "that evidence may well have supported her identification and, equally, may have exonerated Sir Stephen". | Judge Workman said had they been able to obtain CCTV "that evidence may well have supported her identification and, equally, may have exonerated Sir Stephen". |
A BTP spokesman said the force had accepted the failings highlighted by the judge during the court case. | A BTP spokesman said the force had accepted the failings highlighted by the judge during the court case. |
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