Man admits performing sexual acts outside schools

Lee Murray "stared" at his victims when they saw him, Essex Police said

A man has admitted performing sexual acts in front of children outside three schools.

Essex Police said Lee Murray, 39, carried out the lewd acts on three separate occasions in Colchester in October 2022.

He did not look "shocked or surprised" when spotted by the children but instead "stared at them", the force said.

Murray, of Hallowell Down, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, pleaded guilty to three offences of outraging public decency at Chelmsford Crown Court last month. He is due to be sentenced on 24 October.

Murray initially denied the offences at Chelmsford Crown Court but changed his plea during a hearing

PC Matthew Essam said: "This was a continued, troubling course of conduct undertaken by Murray.

“It is clear he chose to carry out these acts in the presence of children and was not deterred by them noticing him."

Murray was first seen by a teenage girl performing an indecent act as she walked to school on 5 October 2022, police said.

Two similar reports were received from children six days later, also in the immediate vicinity of schools.

'Utterly unacceptable'

Essex Police said each victim reported Murray "stared at them" while carrying out his lewd acts.

He was arrested on 17 November 2022 and later brought in front of the courts.

PC Essam said: "Offences with a sexual element, threatening the safety and wellbeing of children and carried out so close to schools are utterly unacceptable.

"We took these reports really seriously from the outset and ensured we traced the vehicle seen by the witnesses, leading us directly to the culprit."

The constable praised the courage of the victims to come forward and support the investigation.