Marc Innes

On 19 September 2023, Marc Innes, a 34-year-old resident of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, entered a Subway store in the town centre. Appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Innes took food items worth £8.27 without paying. When staff confronted him to demand payment, he responded by exposing his penis, an act of deliberate exposure that shocked those present.

The situation escalated as Innes then assaulted one of the staff members by applying pressure to his throat. The victim later described the force as rating about five or six out of ten in severity, according to prosecutor Georgia Donohue at Swansea Crown Court. Police were called to the scene and arrested Innes, who became agitated during the encounter. He unleashed a torrent of racist and homophobic abuse at the arresting officer, including telling him to 'suck your mum', directing a racial slur for Chinese people multiple times, and shouting 'go home you f***ing f*****'. Body-worn camera footage captured the incident, contradicting Innes's initial denial of using such language.

Innes, of Slade Villas in Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to charges of exposure, assault by beating, theft, and racially aggravated harassment. The court heard that he had 13 previous convictions for 20 offences, primarily linked to his long-standing alcohol misuse since his early twenties. In mitigation, defence barrister Emily Bennett stated that Innes was 'deeply ashamed' of his behaviour and wished to apologise to the Subway staff and the police officer. She noted his engagement with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Sentencing on 26 November 2023 at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees remarked, 'The only person interested in your penis, Mr Innes, is you. You certainly can’t handle your drink. It’s about time you pull yourself together.' Rather than custody, Innes received a nine-month community order, including a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. Due to the order's length, he was not required to register as a sex offender. The case was reported by the Western Telegraph, highlighting ongoing issues with alcohol-related crime in west Wales.