Jake Scarr

On the evening of 21 May 2023, a woman in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, fell asleep in front of her television. Around 11pm, she awoke to find Jake Scarr peering through her window, which was directly adjacent to the pavement. Scarr, a 33-year-old resident of Admiral Way, proceeded to expose himself and perform a sex act while looking at her, despite her screams of 'Go away, go away'. He continued for a short time before leaving the scene.

The incident was captured on a neighbour's CCTV footage, which was later presented in court. Police identified Scarr after finding a discarded cannabis cigarette butt near the house, which bore his DNA. The woman, in her personal statement, expressed profound distress: 'My home, which should be my safe place, no longer feels safe to me.' She checked all her doors and was unable to settle for two hours, fearing his return. Prosecuting, Alison Whiteley, highlighted how the event made the woman feel 'very insecure and vulnerable', noting it was an unprecedented experience for her that left her very angry.

Scarr, who lives on universal credit and has been diagnosed with depressive and anxiety disorders, pleaded guilty to exposure at York Magistrates' Court after initially denying the charge. His defence, represented by Bryon Chatzis, stated that Scarr could not believe he committed the offence, remembering only leaving his home that evening and waking the next day on his kitchen floor. He accepted he had been drinking, and the incident may have been exacerbated by alcohol, cannabis, and personal stresses, including a close relative's cancer diagnosis in 2023. Chatzis added that Scarr feels 'disgust at his actions' and wishes to apologise to the victim. Scarr has a prior conviction for drink driving in 2012.

The magistrates acknowledged the woman's vulnerability, the late hour, and Scarr's intoxication, stating: 'She was at home, she was vulnerable, it was late at night and you were under the influence of alcohol and drugs.' They imposed a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, conditional on completing six months of alcohol treatment and 18 days of rehabilitative activities. Additionally, Scarr was ordered to pay £650 in compensation to the victim and received a five-year restraining order barring contact with her or approaching her home. He will be required to register as a sex offender for seven years.