Top judge cleared of flashing charge

One of Britain's most senior judges has been found not guilty of exposing himself to a woman twice on packed commuter trains.

Sir Stephen Richards, a 56-year-old Court of Appeal judge, from south-west London, was alleged to have flashed at the same woman on two trains in the area on October 16 and 24 last year.

However, he was cleared of the charges at City of Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday.

Sir Stephen, a married father-of-three, denied the charges of "intentionally exposing his genitals intending that someone would see them and would be caused alarm or distress", saying that the allegations were a case of mistaken identity.

Giving evidence, he told the court that he could not "perceive deriving any form of gratification" from such an act.

Senior district judge Timothy Workman said that there was insufficient evidence to support the woman's claims and that the case came down to Sir Stephen's word against the woman's.

Mr Workman said that the woman, a City worker in her 20s, had given "clear, dignified and truthful evidence".

However, Mr Workman also said that the British Transport Police had failed to investigate the allegation promptly or thoroughly.

He said: "Had they done so, they would have been able to obtain closed circuit television from the train on October 24 and probably on October 16.

"That evidence may well have supported her identification and, equally, may have exonerated Sir Stephen."

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Sir Stephen said: "Throughout this case, I have put my trust in the legal process and I'm delighted that it has enabled me to clear my name."

(KMcA/JM)