A local mother has urged parents in the Whitehouse area of the city to be extra vigilant after she and her children were exposed to a man performing a sick sex act in a public car park.
The terrified woman, who asked not to be named, said she had stopped at the Whitehouse retail park on December 21 and was waiting in the car with her two young children when she became aware that the man in the neighbouring car was acting in a suspic
ious manner.
"My husband had gone into the shop to get some food for us and I was waiting in the car with our two children, who are just three and two.
"There was something about that man which made me uncomfortable and I soon realised what he was doing.
"It was just before six in the evening and the car park was really busy. There were lots of people, and families about. I was totally shocked and disgusted.
"I just hope that my two were young enough not to really know what was going on - but this man didn't seem to care who saw him. There could have been older children who would have been deeply traumatised by his actions," she said.
Police confirmed they were investigating the incident, describing the the man as being of medium height with dark hair and believed to be between 35 and 40 years of age.
It is understood he was driving a small dark grey hatchback vehicle, possibly a small people carrier.
The Whitehouse retail park is home to more than a dozen businesses including a supermarket and an off-licence.
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of the shops between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Sunday, December 21 and can help with their inquiries. The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000, or contact the 'Crimestoppers' charity anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111.
