Pensioner who exposed himself to neighbours while gardening in a short kilt is sentenced

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 6th Nov 2023
Last updated 6th Nov 2023

A pensioner who repeatedly exposed himself to neighbours while gardening in a short kilt over the summer has avoided being placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Leslie Mackenzie previously admitted a charge of public indecency at his home in Chirnside, Berwickshire, between May 4th and June 1st this year.

The 73-year-old was fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 when he returned for sentence at Jedburgh Sheriff Court today (Monday).

The court previously heard Mackenzie, who once again appeared in a kilt, is banned from a number of establishments in the area because of his behaviour.

The retired mill worker, who lives with his wife, was reported to police by neighbours in Lammerview, after they found him bent over - exposing his private parts.

One told officers she was "shocked" at what she saw, while another said she stopped her children going into their garden when the pensioner was outside.

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During his earlier court appearance, prosecutor Drew Long said: "It appears people are at the end of their tether with him."

And he added: "They (the neighbours) believed he was doing this in order to show off."

The court heard police had offered Mackenzie advice about his behaviour after the alarm was first raised in May. But ten days later he offended again.

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His solicitor, Ed Hulme, said his client's position is that his behaviour was unintentional, but accepts - given how often it had happened - that he had crossed the line.

Nevertheless, he added, Mackenzie has taken steps to ensure it won't happen again.

In addition to the fine, Mackenzie was also ordered to pay one of his neighbours £50 compensation.

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