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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. —

A Suffolk man who pulled down his pants and exposed himself after going into a woman’s house uninvited was sentenced recently to 15 days in jail.

John Clifford Coles, 48, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to committing an indecent act.

During a recent appearance, Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court Coles used to work with the victim, and earlier this year he added her as a friend on Facebook.

The court heard Coles and the victim exchanged messages for several weeks and went for coffee once before the incident in her home.

Beck said on the day of the incident, Coles sent the woman messages that were “sexually forward” and he later went to her home, which he entered uninvited.

The two talked in the woman’s living room where Coles pulled down his pants and exposed himself.

Beck said the woman covered her eyes and went into her kitchen.

Coles, who was still exposing himself, followed the woman, despite her repeatedly asking him to cover up, Beck said.

Eventually Coles did.

UNINVITED

Beck told the court the woman said she didn’t think she led Coles on or gave him any indication his behaviour was wanted.

Coles was uninvited and the woman didn’t want him to pull down his pants and expose himself, Beck said.

Defence lawyer Jared Kelly told the court Coles described his actions as uncharacteristic and said he didn’t know what got into him.

Kelly said Coles has shown remorse for his actions.

Orr said there was no explanation given for Coles’ behaviour and until there is, there will always be a question of whether or not it will happen again.

The jail time, which Coles will serve on weekends, will be followed by a period of probation during which he must write an apology letter to the victim.

A publication ban prevents the release of any information that could identify the victim.

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