‘Drunk’ woman exposed herself to ‘disgusted’ UK customers

Nina Austin appeared in the dock at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 30 and admitted to one count of outraging public decency.

The 47-year-old, of Stratton Road, was seen near Poppins Restaurant on Regent Street in Swindon at 2.30pm on April 29, where officers responded to reports of a woman stripping naked while members of the public, including children, were passing by.

Abbie Winters, prosecuting, explained that Austin was led on a bench with her legs up in the air, naked from the waist down, exposing her genitals “towards the cafe”, within view of the “disgusted” customers inside.

The prosecutor described the defendant as being “extremely drunk” and having “incoherent speech” when spoken to by officers.

Mark Glendenning, defending, added: “She apologised to all and sundry in the building opposite for her behaviour.

“She is an alcoholic and blew 50 [microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath] at the station, which is well within [being able to speak coherently].

“She was with other street drinkers and thinks she had in some way been spiked, possibly with Rohypnol.

“She was not directing herself at the cafe and was mortified when the CCTV footage was played during the police interview.

“She’s doing quite well with probation… an end of a relationship had triggered this drinking.”

This latest offence had happened while Austin was on a suspended sentence, which related to two thefts and possession of a blade in February.

Usually, committing a crime while on a suspended sentence activates it, so Austin could have been jailed for 29 weeks.

The defendant had been remanded in custody since her arrest on Wednesday and has a lengthy criminal record.

Mr Glendenning requested that magistrates avoid sending her back to prison as she had been making good progress towards rehabilitation, particularly in comparison to previous attempts to comply with her requirements.

After some deliberation, the magistrates agreed that it would be unjust to activate Austin’s suspended sentence and instead extended it from 12 months to 18 months.

They also added five more rehabilitation actiivity days to her existing community order, and ordered her to pay an £80 fine plus £85 in court costs as well as £32 to fund victim services.