Man jailed for exposing himself and assaulting support workers

A man who exposed himself in a busy street while shouting he wanted to “rape children” has been jailed.

Rhys Phillips was seen by horrified motorists and bus passengers in Alma Street, Brynmawr, on October 13 at 8.30am. The 22-year-old stood outside the Nature’s Hand disability services centre with his trousers around his ankles, shouting disturbing comments to passers-by.

Cardiff Crown Court heard prosecutor Hywel Davies say: “This defendant was seen by staff at the support centre standing in the street and shouting: ‘I’m a paedophile. I like children and I’m going to rape children.’ While shouting these words his trousers were round his ankles and he exposed himself to members of the public driving past. Various cars and buses drove past.”

Police arrested Phillips at the scene. It was the second time in three months he had been arrested near the centre.

Earlier assault on support workers

On August 6, Phillips had carried out a series of unprovoked assaults on staff at Nature’s Hand. He pushed support worker Grant West to the chest and pressed his forehead into Mr West’s head.

He then headbutted another support worker, Jason Thomas, and followed him when he tried to move away. The prosecutor said: “The defendant lunged towards him, again using his forehead and pressing it into Jason Thomas’ head. The defendant then turned towards another support worker, Jodie Lamkin, and spat in her face.”

Mental health issues

Phillips, of Alexander Court in Blaina, pleaded guilty to exposure, a public order offence, and three counts of assault. He had 19 previous convictions for violence, offensive weapons and dishonesty, and was under a community order for a racially aggravated assault at the time.

His barrister Jeffrey Jones told the court a psychiatrist who examined Phillips did not believe him to have a sexual interest in children. Mr Jones said: “It was a form of attention-seeking. No-one was specifically approached by him with a view to causing them immediate alarm and distress by his being naked in the street. There is no suggestion he was in any way aroused. He has no previous convictions for such behaviour.”

The court heard Phillips has ADHD, learning difficulties, and a reading age of 11. He has care workers with him 24 hours a day. Mr Jones said: “Mental ill health runs through all of these offences. These are not offences committed by someone who drinks and then misbehaves, or who has taken medication in an illicit or excessive form.”

Sentence

Appearing via video link from Parc prison, Phillips was sentenced to 12 months in jail and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He must also pay a £187 victim services surcharge.

Gwent Police refused to provide a mugshot of Phillips and did not give an on-the-record statement explaining this decision.