Man who urinated on war memorial sentenced

Ian Marshall, 49, was told he had acted in a "moment of madness" after stopping to urinate behind the Leeds memorial following a night out drinking with colleagues.

Leeds Magistrates' Court was told Marshall did not deliberately desecrate the Otley Road memorial in November last year and his urine did not make contact with any of the plaques or wreathes.

Marshall, who was celebrating 25 years' service with an air conditioning company and had attended an award presentation during the evening, was heavily in drink, the court was told. He was witnessed by the door staff of a local pub in Headingley who informed police of what was happening.

Sentencing him, District Judge Christopher Darnton told him: "Put simply, this was a moment of madness on your part. I have no doubt if you could put the clock back, you would do so. It is a shame you didn't find your way into the public house and proper toilet facilities.

"If ever there was a case of someone being shamed, then this must be that case," the judge added.

He said he accepted Marshall, of Gill Lane, Yeadon, Leeds, was a man of previous good character and his good name had now been tarnished. The judge also acknowledged the publicity surrounding the case had affected his family and relationships with colleagues.

But he said the case was "serious" and a community punishment was suitable, adding: "You should have known better."

James Bourne-Arton, defending, said his client lived with his partner and two children, aged 13 and 14, and was a man of "impeccable character".

He said the 14-year-old was an Army cadet and Marshall did not intend to show "disrespect to those who fought or are fighting for this country".

Marshall admitted outraging public decency by urinating in public. He denied urinating on the memorial or making insulting comments to a church verger who claimed he witnessed the event.