he victim of garden pervert Paul Darlow – who told a court he had put her off
men and sausages for life – has told how she still suffers flashbacks.
Denise Woodage saw oddball Darlow pleasuring himself in his back garden in
Churchwood Walk, Calcot, and frequently spotted him going about his chores naked
– save for a pair of boots.
Naked gardener 'puts neighbour off sausages'
Darlow faced trial at Reading Crown Court after denying indecent exposure with
intent to cause alarm or distress but was convicted last Friday. He was jailed
for six weeks.
The 54-year-old, who is mum to Hazel, 26, told the Post she was now anti-men as
a result of seeing Darlow’s “pale and hairy” body in the November chill and is
now on anti-depressants.
Mrs Woodage, who does not work, first saw the 53-year-old flashing in March
2008. She complained to police and they installed CCTV.
In November 2008 – after capturing Darlow on film flashing his bits yet again –
he was arrested and charged with indecent exposure.
He initially denied the incidents but during his trial, before Judge Zoë Smith,
he confessed to touching himself outdoors.
However, he claimed he did not realise Mrs Woodage could see his actions and he
did not intend to cause her distress – a claim the jury did not believe.
Mrs Woodage told the Post: “I am now on anti-depressants and also sleeping
tablets – this has really affected me. There are not many houses in this street
and [there are] a lot of children. I would’ve hated for them to see Darlow
flashing.
“I didn’t even know his name when I first saw him but I was horrified. I
couldn’t believe it.
“He looks younger than he is and he was well-endowed and really hairy.
“It has put me off men.
“Initially I didn’t think anyone would believe me. When it happened again I
raced over to my neighbour’s house – I didn’t want to go to another neighbour as
he has a poor heart and I was worried about the shock. This has affected me so
much. I do not like going out now. He has been given a jail sentence but I have
received a life sentence.”
Sarah Darlow, Darlow’s wife, told the Post yesterday: “I stuck by him throughout
the case but now I have left him. He obviously needs help and he said he is
willing to get it.”
Darlow was also given a Sexual Offences Prohibition Order which will run
indefinitely and prohibits him from exposing his genitals in front of members of
the public.
And he was ordered to sign the Sexual Offenders’ Register for seven years. |
