Man admits to indecent exposure charge
A 52-year-old homeless man was scolded yesterday in Magistrates’ Court after being caught having sex in Par-la-Ville Park.Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told Willis Ebbin, who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure: “That park isn’t there for you to go and have sex in.“That park is there for everyone to enjoy that wants to go there and you can’t expect to get drunk and go into the park and do things that other people find offensive.”Ebbin, who resides at the Salvation Army shelter, was jointly charged with Pamela Crockwell, 59, of no-fixed abode. Ms Crockwell was not present in court yesterday and a warrant was issued for her arrest.Prosecutor Robert Welling said police responded to a report of two people engaged in sexual activity in Par-la-Ville Park, Hamilton on June 18 around 5.35pm.Ebbin was found laying on top of Ms Crockwell, both were wearing pants pulled down between their waist and their knees and their genitals could be seen by members of the public.Mr Welling said both were asleep when the officers arrived and neither could provide an explanation why their genitals were exposed.Ebbin showed contrition yesterday and said: “I apologise for what I did wrong. I am so sorry about that. I was intoxicated that day. I do not remember [what happened], I was drinking alcohol.”He said it was Ms Crockwell’s idea to have sex in the park, but Mr Warner said: “Obviously you must have wanted it to”.Mr Warner ordered a social inquiry and BARC report for Ebbin, who was released on $1,000 bail and ordered to appear back in court on August 30 for sentencing.