Foreign Property News | Posted by Si Thu Aung
A MAN has been fined at court after he broke lockdown rules to watch a couple dogging at a popular beauty spot.
Daniel Lewis, of Old Grimsbury Road, Banbury, was caught in his car with two other men observing the pair have sex in Stoke Wood car park, near Bicester. It happened on May 17, meaning the 24-year-old was found guilty of participating in a gathering of more than two people during the coronavirus emergency period.
Stoke Wood, an ancient woodland about four miles north west of Bicester, is 'extremely well used and enjoyed by local people', according to the Woodland Trust website.
It has paths stretching for almost three miles, but the car park where the illicit act took place only has space for a maximum of 30 vehicles.
Adult website Swinging Heaven revealed last year the woods and nature trails in Oxfordshire where you are most likely to find people dogging – watching or having sex in a public place.
Some popular family locations featured, such as White Horse Hill in Uffington, Shotover Country Park and Wittenham Clumps, near Didcot.
Other places recommended for the exhibitionist activity included the Thames Path at Sandford Lane, Kennington, Range Road in Witney and the Cholsey layby between Wallingford and Moulsford.
Dogging, or watching or engaging in sexual activity in public, is not specifically banned under UK law, but people who get caught can be charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with public lewdness and indecent exposure.
Thames Valley Police said last year that it deals 'robustly’ with any reports of dogging.
It came after several incidents in Berkshire saw the force release a statement saying the public and children ‘should not have to come across any incidents of this nature’.
Lewis was convicted at Oxford Magistrates' Court, where he was fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and court costs of £90.
Ref: oxfordmail
