Pervert’s 70 mile trip to expose himself

Public transport pervert John Wilbraham performed a sex act in full view of teenagers who were using the buses, despite being banned from using them by a sexual offences prevention order.

Wilbraham, 71, has now been jailed after exposing himself on four occasions to girls and boys between the ages of 15 and 17.

Sheffield Crown Court heard he made a 70-mile round trip from his home in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire to Meadowhall Interchange in Sheffield to use the X78 service between June and July last year.

Wilbraham, who has convictions for exposure dating back to 1970, did so while subject to a community order imposed for similar offences at Doncaster Crown Court in 2010.

On Wednesday Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said: “A 17-year-old witness said the ordeal left her not wanting to use public transport and scared of older men.”

CCTV was used to trace Wilbraham and he was arrested last August. He admitted four counts of indecent exposure and six breaches of a sexual offences prevention order at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

Wilbraham begged forgiveness and a final chance to address his behaviour.

He said: “It doesn’t happen on trains or trams. I am finally admitting to myself I am not giving people a laugh or a giggle. I am a silly old man who is going around upsetting people.”

Wilbraham was jailed for 12 months and banned from using a bus without prior written consent from police.

Judge Peter Kelson said: “You are a repeat offender and have exhausted the court’s patience. I hope you have beaten your offending, but I cannot take chances on the welfare of the children of South Yorkshire.”