Man Sentenced For Burger King Indecency Near Children

A man has been sentenced after admitting outraging public decency following an incident inside Burger King at Newcastle Central Station while a number of children were present.

Same Alkfuv, 30, was arrested following concerns about his behaviour inside the busy Newcastle city centre railway station during February half-term.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that the incident happened at around 11am on Wednesday, February 18. Among those inside the restaurant at the time were a woman and around five or six children.

A complaint was made to the Burger King manager, who went into the dining area to investigate. Prosecutor Neil Jones told the court that the manager witnessed Alkfuv with both hands inside his trousers making a rubbing movement around his groin area.

The court heard that the action lasted approximately five to 10 seconds.

Manager contacted police after complaint.

The presence of children formed part of the circumstances described to Newcastle Crown Court as details of the incident were outlined.

After witnessing Alkfuv's behaviour, the Burger King manager asked him to leave the restaurant. Alkfuv refused, and he was warned that police would have to be contacted.

Officers subsequently attended Newcastle Central Station, where LNER staff identified Alkfuv. He was arrested and was also found in possession of cocaine.

During his police interview, Alkfuv said he had fallen asleep inside Burger King with his hands resting in his lap. He denied deliberately touching himself but later said he could not remember whether he had put his hands inside his trousers while asleep.

Alkfuv also told officers he had been sleeping rough. When questioned about the cocaine, he suggested another person had placed the drugs in his pocket.

Newcastle Crown Court hands down sentence.

Alkfuv, of no fixed address, had no previous convictions in this country. He pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and possession of cocaine.

The 30-year-old had already spent around four months remanded in custody by the time he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.

Judge Robert Adams imposed a 12-month conditional discharge. After the judge indicated the type of sentence he intended to impose, the court did not hear mitigation or further information about Alkfuv's background.

The case involved an offence committed in a busy Newcastle transport hub during half-term, at a time when several children were reported to have been inside the restaurant.

Safety in Newcastle's busy public spaces.

The incident is likely to raise questions among some residents about safety and appropriate behaviour in busy public places, particularly locations regularly used by families and young children.

Newcastle Central Station is one of the city's major transport hubs, serving commuters, visitors and families throughout the year. The fact that the incident occurred during half-term and with children present adds an important element to the circumstances heard by the court.

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Was the sentence appropriate given children were present?