SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR COWES MAN WHO EXPOSED PENIS AND MASTURBATED IN FRONT OF WOMEN ON CYCLE TRACK

A man who exposed himself to 2 women on the Cowes – Newport Cycle track back in the summer, sexually assaulting one of them, has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Laurence Marsden, 24, of Bernard Road in Cowes, appeared before Magistrates at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court yesterday (Friday 8th December) for sentencing charged with 2x exposure, sexual assault on a female and produce a controlled drug of Class-B. Marsden had previously indicated guilty pleas to the offences of production of cannabis, and 2x exposure at a hearing on the 1st August 2023. He had also initially indicated a not-guilty plea to the offence of sexual assault but was found guilty yesterday. During August’s hearing, Ann Smout, prosecuting told the court that at around 18:30 on 26th June, a woman walking along the Cowes – Newport cycle track came across Marsden, who was masturbating with his penis exposed. He asked the woman ‘Do you like it?’ before sexually assaulting her. Then, just some days later on 1st July at around 17:30 a younger woman – who was running along the path – noticed Marsden once again masturbating on the side of the track. Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary arrested Marsden on 30th July at which point a quantity of cannabis was found in his possession. Marsden was placed under an interim electric monitoring tag that restricted when he was allowed to leave his home. At the sentencing hearing, Marsden was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and handed an exclusion requirement that means that he isn’t allowed on the Red Squirrel Trail for a total of 9 months. He was ordered to complete 40 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work. Marsden must complete 43 days of an offending behaviour programme and register with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary for a total of 7 years. He was ordered to pay costs of £650 and pay a £154 surcharge fee.