An 87-year-old Bury pensioner appeared in court today accused of flashing in a public park in broad daylight during the half term school holidays.
Anthony Mancini was arrested after police were called to Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom, Bury, at 2.15pm on October 28 following reports a man had been seen exposing himself and masturbating.
Mancini, also known as Bertram Monk was later charged with two offences of outraging public decency.
Today at Bury magistrates court Mancini, from Summerseats in Bury pleaded not guilty to both charges and was ordered to face trial at the same court on February 24. He was bailed on condition he not enter the park.
The pensioner who wore a blue sports kagool, grey trousers and wore glasses wore a hearing aid throughout proceedings. He was accompanied in court by his wife and another relative.
His lawyer told JPs: “Mr Mancini is hard of hearing and he is going to enter not guilty plea. As you can see he has an expensive looking hearing aid that only works intermittently.
”He would rather a trial be held here as he is an elderly man and rather is heard sooner rather than later. The trial should take half a day firstly because he is elderly so it will take him time to give evidence. There may well be some medical evidence. The police report an erect penis. Mr Mancini disputes that.”
At the time of Mancini’s arrest, Det Insp Denise Pye of Greater Manchester Police said: “I know this incident caused a lot of parents a great deal of distress and anxiety, particularly during half-term when there are a lot of children using the park.
“I want to reassure people that we have arrested and charged a man and while I cannot talk about that individual as the matter is yet to be heard before the courts, I do want to assure people that strict bail conditions have been imposed preventing him from entering the park and our officers will be ensuring those are met.
“We will also have extra patrols acting a visible presence in the park during the half-term period but I would ask that if anyone does see any suspicious behaviour that they report it to police immediately.”
Story via Cavendish Press.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
