FILE PHOTO
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
June 14, 2017 - 8:00 PM
KELOWNA – A 35-year-old Kelowna man pleaded guilty today to exposing himself to at least three children at a public pool three months ago.
Joseph Drew Perkins was at Johnson Bentley Aquatic Centre the evening of Feb. 25.
Judge Ellen Burdett heard in Kelowna court today that a father and his young daughters entered the family change rooms at the public pool to find Perkins partially undressed and “touching himself,” according to Crown lawyer Mallory Tredennick.
He was arrested wearing only a T-shirt. One of the witnesses reported that he “appeared out of it” and police found a marijuana bong in a bag he had with him as well as childrens books, makeup and some garbage. Tredennick said he also had a pair of wet jeans in the room with him, as well as a jar of urine and a pair of wet women’s underwear.
He pleaded guilty to one count of exposing his genitals to three people under 16 years old.
Perkins has a criminal record in B.C. that includes numerous drug and traffic offences as well as a 2003 conviction for committing an indecent act.
His lawyer agreed to a joint submission calling for a sentence of six months in jail followed by three years’ probation, however Burdett refused.
“How can I possibly sentence him if I don’t know the risk to the community?” she asked.
A pre-sentence report with a psychiatric component will be completed within 30 days, after which time Perkins will be sentenced.
He will continue to be held in custody at the Okanagan Correctional Centre.
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