Repeat offender receives six more years in prison for a series of ‘flashing’ incidents

Paul Smith (05/12/1957) of no fixed address was sentenced to six years on Tuesday 27 June 2023 for public decency offences at Manchester Crown Court.

A serial offender with 170 offences across a 51-year period, he was jailed again after he was arrested in April 2022 after flashing at a stationary bus in the City Centre. The bus driver alerted officers who subsequently made a swift arrest.

Most recent previous offences have linked him to the West Yorkshire area which meant a breach of his prevention order once back in Manchester where he reoffended in a public place two days after a suspended sentence.

He also received court orders and a mandatory therapy programme, including remaining on the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for life and must sign the Sex Offender Register.

Paul Smith

Detective Inspector John Chatterton, of Greater Manchester Police’s Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU), said: “Incidents such as these can cause real distress to any victim and Paul Smith subjected many innocent people to his indecent acts.

“Everyone should feel safe to use public transport and this type of behaviour is completely inappropriate and can impact someone’s personal sense of security.

“The tireless work our offender managers commit to each day has led to Paul Smith serving a lengthy jail sentence. This involves a number of proactive tactics and the management of stringent conditions whilst in the community. This reinforces GMP’s commitment to reducing harm and keeping people safe.”