THERE WERE emotional scenes at Basildon magistrates court yesterday (Monday) after a Tilbury father was cleared of all charges of exposing himself to a group of teenage girls.
Family and friends flanked Frank Falconer as he walked free from the court after what he described as ‘six months of hell.”
Mr Falconer, 30, Spindles, Tilbury was accused of indecently exposing himself on two occasions: The first charge specifically related to an offence on July 10th last year on Brennan Road, Tilbury which was allegedly witnessed by four Tilbury teenage girls.
The second charge was somewhat vague: the date of the offence was between the 30th May and 1st July last year and the location of the offence was given as “Tilbury”.
The court heard from all four teenage witnesses, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who gave evidence from behind a screen.
All four claimed to have seen Mr Falconer drive up close to them on the evening of the 10th July and expose himself whilst still in the vehicle.
One witness, described the incident in great detail; she noted down the registration number of the car on her phone and then, once home, wrote it on a piece of paper. However, this witness and two of the others, was not able to point out Mr Falconer in an identification parade. Indeed, two of the witnesses, pointed out different men entirely.
The court heard that single parent Mr Falconer had no previous convictions and a highly commended work record going over fifteen years.
He had just suffered a heartbreaking loss after his partner suffered a miscarriage on the 1st July.
On the evening in question, the family lit a chinese lantern in memory of their lost one. His partner, Clare Brown, giving evidence, produced a photo of the lantern, which had a time and date of 2133hrs 10/7/11.
Giving evidence, a pregnant Ms Brown admitted to the court that there was a lot of “bad blood” between her and “The Fry family”. They all socialised or had socialised at the Irish club in Dock Road and there had been a number of disagreements. The court also heard that a number of the teenage witnesses were connected to the Fry family.
In summing up, defending solicitor, Mr Bass compared the evidence of the four teenagers and called it “a troubling set of circumstances.” as well as one witnesses: “telling body language.”
There were cheers from the gallery as chair of magistrates Mrs Evans returned a verdict of not guilty to both charges.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Falconer said: “I am very relieved, It has been six months of hell but now we can all get on with the rest of our lives.”
