Man who exposed himself in Penneys store was not ‘compos mentis’ after taking too many Xanax tablets
A young man who exposed himself and masturbated in a clothes shop was struggling with a Xanax addiction and was not fully compos mentis at the time, a court heard.
Jans Kerpe (20) was mortified and shocked at his behaviour, which was due to him taking too much Xanax on the day, his lawyer said.
He had no memory of the incident, his lawyer added.
Judge Stephanie Coggans said this was “not nothing” and was a very serious matter. However, the judge said that the garda had been very fair in his evidence and she did not believe the court would see the defendant again.
Judge Coggans ordered Kerpe to enter into a peace bond for a period of two years.
The defendant, with an address at Beresford Hall in Donabate, Dublin, admitted engaging in an act of masturbation in Penney’s, Main Street, Swords, on April 16, 2025.
Garda Gary Fitzpatrick told Balbriggan District Court that he was called to Penneys in the Pavilions after security staff informed gardaí that a male had exposed himself and was walking around the store.
He said that he viewed CCTV footage and between 5pm and 5.20pm on the day in question, it showed Kerpe enter Penneys and walk around the shop with his hands down his trousers.
Gda Fitzpatrick said that Kerpe was making gestures which indicated he was touching himself. He said Kerpe then exposed his erect penis.
The defendant was known to Gda Fitzpatrick, the court heard, and he was later arrested and charged. The court heard that Kerpe had minor convictions for theft and road traffic matters.
Defence solicitor Fiona D’Arcy said that Kerpe was struggling with an addiction to tablets at the time of this incident.
On the day in question he had taken too much Xanax and he was not fully compos mentis, the solicitor added.
Ms D’Arcy said that Kerpe had no recollection of this incident, and was mortified and shocked at his behaviour.
He was also deeply apologetic to anyone who came across him in the store, Ms D’Arcy added.
Kerpe, who was doing a training course, had family support, the court heard and had dealt with his addiction to tablets.