A registered sex offender, previously convicted of indecent exposure, has been sentenced to jail after being caught performing a sexual act in the presence of children in Peterborough city centre.

Gary Smith, 50, had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years since December 2013. Additionally, he was subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) that prohibited him from certain public areas.

On 14 May, at approximately 14.15, a concerned member of the public alerted the police about a man in Peterborough Cathedral’s green area. The witness reported seeing the man watching children while engaging in a sexual act on himself. Officers were provided with a description of the suspect, which led them to identify him as potentially being Gary Smith. They immediately dispatched to the location.

Smith initially walked towards the St Johns Street area but soon returned to the cathedral grounds. Another call was made to the police, notifying them of the man’s movements. Upon arrival, officers discovered Smith hiding behind a gravestone, lying on the ground. He was promptly arrested for indecent exposure and breaching the CBO.

This is not the first time Smith has faced legal consequences for his actions. In 2019, he was sentenced to a year in prison for outraging public decency. As a result, he was issued a ten-year CBO, which included restrictions such as staying away from swimming pools, leisure centres, schools, colleges, and areas of public parks or gardens.

Appearing at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday, Smith, who is of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and breaching the CBO. He has been sentenced to 19 months in prison.

PC Rebecca Risebrow, the investigating officer, expressed her concern over Smith’s repeated disregard for court orders. She stated, “His behaviour is truly disgusting, with five convictions for outraging public decency in as many years.”