Jail for Wharfedale train pervert who stalked victims in Halloween mask

Former fitness instructor Gary Mawson wore a terrifying red devil Halloween mask during some of the night-time confrontations and told police who arrested him that they had caught him at the right time.

Yesterday the 31-year-old of Woolcombe Court, Heaton, Bradford, admitted four offences of indecent exposure, one of sexual assault and one of common assault.

The court heard Mawson had a previous conviction for making obscene phone calls to young women.

Between November last year and January this year Mawson travelled on trains on the Wharfedale line targeting mainly teenage girls.

Bradford Crown Court heard that on November 7 Mawson, wearing the mask, followed two 15-year-old girls after they got off a train at Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Neil Clark, prosecuting, said the teenagers ran off when they realised Mawson was exposing himself.

The following month Mawson tried the locked door of a 22-year-old woman's flat near the same station and when he could not get in he exposed himself to the occupant through a window.

Just five days later he followed a 14-year-old girl after she got off the train in Burley-in-Wharfedale and again exposed himself to her.

Judge Robert Bartfield heard that Mawson's behaviour appeared to be escalating and the most serious incident took place in January when he pursued a 14-year-old girl and her 15-year-old friend after they again got off a train at Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Mr Clark described how Mawson, who had the lower half of his face covered, pushed the 14-year-old into the road and then put his hands between the legs of the other girl.

The final incident of indecent exposure took place on January 26 when Mawson confronted a 13-year-old girl as she was getting off the train at Menston.

Mr Clark said the girl recognised Mawson as someone who had been travelling on the trains in that area.

With the help of the teenager's description Mawson was arrested in February.

Following his conviction in 2002 for harassment Mawson had failed to undertake a sex offender treatment programme but his barrister Robin Frieze said he was now motivated to get help.

Judge Bartfield said after serving his four-year prison term Mawson would be subject to an extended licence period of three years.

He will also have to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order limiting his contact with young people.