Flasher " Priest" from Darlington Jailed for " Babestation-Girl Flirting"

By Neil Hunter
Northern Echo
March 7, 2012

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/9573229.Flasher__priest__from_Darlington_jailed_for__Babestation_girl_flirting_/

Royston Thompson

A SELF-PROCLAIMED priest who flashed at two women and blames his worrying behaviour on "too much pornography" was yesterday jailed for four months.

A judge told Royston Thompson that his sentencing powers were limited – but warned that he will be dealt with more harshly if he repeats his offending.

Thompson, 25, of Melland Street, Darlington, told Judge Howard Crowson from the back of the dock at Teesside Crown Court: "I won't be coming back again."

At an earlier court hearing, Thompson compared his behaviour with models on the adult television channel Babestation, and described it as "extreme flirting".

His barrister, Martin Towers, said yesterday the trainee priest with the Mormon church had become confused about the boundaries of decency by pornography.

Ian West, prosecuting, told the court Thompson was arrested last August after leaving a "love note" in the door of a woman's car parked near his home.

As she got in her vehicle, she saw Thompson standing in his front doorway, wearing just a dressing gown, and committing a sex act so she could see, said Mr West.

She read the note later and it invited her to text his mobile phone so that he could give her a "full body rub and make love to her", describing her as "beautiful".

At a trial at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court in January, Thompson said his behaviour was merely "flirting" like the women on Babestation.

He was convicted of exposure and magistrates adjourned the case to allow for reports – but days later, during a medical examination, he exposed himself to a doctor.

During a consultation, he again committed a sex act and, as he buttoned up his trousers, smiled and asked the woman: "How was that for you?"

Thompson said: "It was for her eyes only... I made sure nobody else was there."

Thompson told police he was training to be a priest with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Mr West said.

Mr Towers said: "He is sorry. He had been watching too much pornography and he, in his words, became confused. He asked me to say on his behalf that nothing like this will ever happen again."

Referring to the victim outside Thompson's home, Judge Crowson said: "That's the sort of thing that's going to live with her, to make her anxious."

He added: "I hope very much that what is said on your behalf is true – that you have learned your lesson."

Thompson, who admitted one charge of indecent exposure and was found guilty of the other, was also put on the sex offenders' register for seven years.