Man admits bus station masturbation

Wednesday 02 October 2019

A 45-year-old man has become a registered sex offender after pleading guilty to masturbating in the bus station.

Elvio Plinio Rodrigues Milho (45) will be fully sentenced for the "sexually-aggravated" offence later this month.

He appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he admitted the single charge of ‘offending public decency’ on 10 September at Liberation Station.

Advocate Michael Haines, representing Milho, indicated his client’s ‘guilty’ plea to the charge.

Pictured: Police issued an appeal over the incident in the bus station.

Legal Adviser Advocate Carla Carvalho, appearing for the prosecution, described the incident as a “sexually-aggravated case".

This characterisation was accepted by Milho’s defence lawyer, who presented two options to Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu, presiding, in terms of dealing with the case. 

Advocate Haines suggested that, either the Relief Magistrate could order that Milho leave the island and not return for a period of three years, or he could adjourn the case so that the Probation Service can compile a background report on him.

Pictured: The hearing was held in the Magistrate's Court. 

The Relief Magistrate decided to opt for the latter option, explaining that “because of the seriousness of the offence”, the court “is going to wish to have the benefit of a [background report] to assist it in considering sentencing".

The Relief Magistrate also placed Milho on the Sex Offenders’ Register, informing him that the minimum period that he will be subject to its requirements will be set when he is sentenced.

The case will return to the court for sentencing on 21 October and Milho has been remanded in custody in the meantime.