Whangarei flasher jailed for 13 months

A Whangarei man has been jailed for exposing himself inside a preschool and outside a primary school before offending again within an hour of being released on bail.

Mark Anthony Martin, 39, entered guilty pleas in the Whangarei District Court in September to one charge of burglary, two of being unlawfully in an enclosed yard, two of unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles, one of obscene exposure, one of possession of cannabis and another of possession of utensils for smoking methamphetamine.

At his sentencing this month the police summary of facts said Martin entered a childcare facility in Whangarei about 2.40pm on August 31, 2016 while his pants were around his knees.

A teacher calmly escorted him from the premises. Martin then approached a woman waiting to pick up her child from the childcare facility. The shocked woman ran to her vehicle and locked the doors.

Martin attempted to open the passenger door before moving on to another car and opening the front passenger door. The female driver leaned over to the passenger side, pulled the door shut and locked it. Martin then performed an indecent act.

The driver got out and phoned police, prompting him to leave. He was located nearby and a glass pipe used to consume meth and .63 grams of cannabis were found on him.

Martin was taken to Whangarei police station where he admitted the items were his but denied exposing himself. He was charged and bailed at 4pm to appear in court at a later date.

But at 4.30pm, he followed a woman and her two young children on Porowini Ave. The woman went to the front door of her neighbours' home and confronted Martin. As the house occupant came out, Martin ran away.

He was found on Morningside Rd. Martin denied following the woman and her children but later admitted going to the house, claiming he thought the woman had invited him in for coffee.

Martin was jailed for 13 months and two weeks on all charges.