A 42-year-old man from Eastleigh, Hampshire, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple counts of indecent exposure that terrorised women in the local community over a sustained period in 2019.
Virendra Asharafi Lal, of High Street, Eastleigh, began his offending spree on 5 September 2019, when he indecently exposed himself to a woman in Merdon Avenue, Eastleigh. Over the following month, Lal continued his disturbing behaviour, targeting women in various locations across Eastleigh and the nearby area of Chandler’s Ford. The incidents took place on Hiltingbury Road, Bradshaw Close, Oakmount Road, and Oakgrove Road, with victims ranging in age from 54 to 82 years old. These acts of public indecency caused significant distress to the affected women, who later came forward to report the offences despite the ordeal of reliving the events.
The case came to light through the bravery of the victims, who provided crucial information to Hampshire Constabulary. Following an investigation, Lal was arrested and charged with five counts of indecent exposure. He appeared at Southampton Crown Court on 19 April 2021, where he entered guilty pleas to all charges. The court imposed a sentence of nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. In addition to the suspended term, Lal was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, 31 sessions of an accredited rehabilitation programme, and ten days of rehabilitation activity. He must also register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring to prevent further offences.
Following the sentencing, Police Sergeant Mark Reynolds of Hampshire Constabulary commended the victims' courage in a statement released by the force. “I want to first praise the women who have come forward following this horrendous ordeal. It cannot have been easy for them to have to re-live these incidents, which undoubtedly will have caused them distress,” Reynolds said. He expressed hope that the comprehensive rehabilitation measures and sex offender registration would provide some closure for the victims. “While he has not been remanded in prison, I am hopeful that the fact he has now been recognised as a registered sex offender and is being put on a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, will bring some closure to the victims,” he added. Reynolds emphasised the intrusive nature of the crimes and reaffirmed the police commitment to pursuing justice against sex offenders, stating, “This was a terribly intrusive crime and we hope that this shows communities across Hampshire that sex offenders like Lal will face justice.”
The case was handled by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, whose investigation underscores their dedication to tackling sexual offences in the region. Details of the sentencing were published on the official police website on 23 April 2021, highlighting the importance of community reporting in bringing perpetrators to account.