A man from Gateshead has been acquitted of three allegations that he exposed himself at Heworth Bus and Metro Interchange. The case against Roger Makin, 61, of Sherburn Way, Felling, was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court and concluded with a not guilty verdict.
What the court heard
Prosecutors said the incidents were alleged to have taken place at roughly the same time on three consecutive Wednesdays during September and October last year. On the first occasion a woman travelling on a bus pulling into the station reported seeing a man reveal his genitals at about 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 September. She later told the court that she also believed she saw the same man commit the same act the following Wednesday and on that second occasion managed to take a photograph.
"I just happened to look out the window and see him."
"Disgusted."
The photograph was passed on to Nexus security staff, who in turn contacted police. The prosecution also called two plain-clothes officers who said they had been shown the image and recognised the man when they saw him at Heworth Police Station the next Wednesday, leading to his arrest.
Defence position and outcome
Mr Makin denied being the person seen on the first date, and his defence stressed that identification was disputed. The defence described his account to the court, including his habit of socialising in Newcastle, but maintained he was not the individual captured in the witness's initial account. Magistrates returned a verdict of not guilty on all three counts.
Local context and immediate consequences
- Public reassurance: An acquittal removes a criminal conviction from the individual's record, but the allegations and trial will remain a matter of local concern for commuters who use Heworth interchange.
- Role of Nexus and police: The case highlights how transport security staff and local officers work together to investigate reports made by passengers.
- Identification challenges: The trial underlined the importance and difficulty of witness identification in public-place offences, particularly where incidents occur quickly and evidence is limited to witness recollection and single images.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Roger Makin, 61, Sherburn Way, Felling |
| Location | Heworth Bus and Metro Interchange, Gateshead |
| Alleged dates | Three consecutive Wednesdays in Sept/Oct last year (first alleged: 17 Sept, c. 18:30) |
| Court | South Tyneside Magistrates' Court — verdict: not guilty |
The case will be noted by those who travel through Heworth, particularly passengers who reported the incidents and staff involved in the subsequent enquiries. While the verdict clears Mr Makin of the criminal charges, the proceedings underline how quickly such incidents can attract community attention and the practical difficulties investigators face when relying on witness sightings and single photographic images.
Local transport users who are concerned about safety or who witness troubling behaviour are advised to report incidents to Nexus staff or to police so they can be investigated promptly.
