Is urination in a public place still a criminal offence in UK and what is penalty if convicted?

Question

An elderly gentlemen has come to me for help. He often goes out for a long walk and recently the cause of nature gave him an overpowering need to discharge ballast, his problem being that he is on medication called Bendroflumethiazide, which reduces blood pressure by making person go to toilet frequently. But when he went to the nearest public toilet he found it locked, which they apparently do because of vandalising by local yobs. So getting more and more desperate he eventually did the job by a tree in a local park, ensuring nobody was around but not knowing area was monitored by police CCTV. Soon after completion of his action he was horrified to see a police panda car approaching, but says he escaped and shook them off by disappearing into the woods and back home. But he is now frightened to come out, as he says if he is spotted by police, with his picture on CCTV, he will be arrested and so become a criminal. Do others have any advice to pass on to him about this heinious crime

Answer 1

go to the police and explain the medical complaint he has and see if the police will be lenient it is an offence and you get a 30 pound fixed penalty but with his circumstances he could be excused good luck

Answer 2

TonyBineye obviously hasn't done his research. The actual offence is 'void urine' which is not a recordable offence in the UK so it wouldn't go down as a 'solved crime'.
However, if it caused someone harassment alarm or distress then it could be recorded as a public order offence.
In reality, a good telling off by the officer who catches him would probably be the result.
I know that's what I'd do (and usually do) so I could spend more time on the apparently 'more important' crimes like burglary and robbery.
I wish people would realise that the Police have to uphold ALL of the laws and not just the ones that certain people think are more important!
At the end of the day, urinating in the street is seen as being anti-social and it is. Especially if you're the one who steps in it.
Would people be singing a different tune if the Police turned a blind eye to someone doing another kind of bodily function in the street?
I think they probably would
As for the penalty if convicted, this, as always is down to the Courts decision but I wouldn't think it would be much more than a fine

Answer 3

I doubt, very much that the local force would even care to check the CCTV, and if they did to try and locate the person doing said act.
Urinating in the street is covered by Section 5 of the public order act, which is a "found comitting" offence. You can only be prosecuted for it if you actually cause harassement/alarm/distress to a person and are caught reasonably soon after, ie if you pee in a doorway and are caught by a PC about 5 seconds into it.
If, and it's a big IF the local police did try to find out who he is, I find it unlikely they would arrest/do anything anyway, and if they did I can't imagine a CPS lawyer taking the case on considering the circumstances.
Hell, I caught someone peeing behind a brick wall the other month, he was that drunk I didn't blame him, he'd done his best to find a hidden spot and let rip, I was only looking for druggies. I pointed him in the right spot and sent him away with a flea in his ear.
Despite what people say, individual cops are actually human.

Answer 4

Urinating in public isn't a criminal offence on nationwide statute. that's in spite of the indisputable fact that an offence opposite to many close by bye regulations and is often viewed a public order or indecency offence finding on the situations.

Answer 5

Yes it is an offence and not a recordable crime.Yes if seen doing it most people would be reported for it as it is common complaint from people especially in town centres at night.In this case and elderly gent with a medical condition and locked toilets no police officer I know would proceed if he'd taken reasonable care to be discreet and I was in the force for 30years.People would not think it funny if has happens shopkeepers often arrive on Monday mornings to fing their doorwayas stinking and mats where it seeps under wet and stinking.

Answer 6

would have to agree that as there is a medical condition and the local toilets were locked (gawd luv the chavs) no further action would be taken.
not too long ago, my son got done for the very same thing, he was going to contest it as he had not even begun to 'stream' when the cops pulled up, but he decided just to let them get on with it. £150 fine was the outcome, no one complained, he was down a back alley in the dark, middle of the night at the side of a big skip..
then i see a guy with several driving convictions caught for the umpteenth time driving while disqualified, no licence no insurance and he gets a £100 fine....which is the greater crime?

Answer 7

No offence but the police were probably making sure he wasn't flashing at kids or anything.

I think it's a public order offence with an on the spot fine but, had they known the situation and been reasonable people, they would've been okay about it. Having said that, there are a**eholes in every job - the police are by no means exempt!

Answer 8

Actualy unbeknown to the masses there is a very old law dating back to the 1800's that hasn't been changed yet and is one of those little loopholes we have in our legal system.
Believe it or not if you are caught urinating in a public place you can ask the officer to hold his cape open to shield you from passers by.Now we all know that police nowadays don't have these capes anymore but the law still stands.
If i can find the link again i will post it.

Answer 9

That's our police for you! They concentrate on the really bad crimes, like people pissing in public places. That'll go down on the records as a 'solved' crime. And of course motorists! Nice easy, safe targets!
The petty stuff like burglary of cars and houses, violent drunks, and assault are all too much trouble! "Let's all go down to McDonalds and have a cup of coffee and a burger. We'll take all five Panda cars!"

Answer 10

it is illegal as it is classed sometimes as indecent expposure and defacing property, under the cercumstaces the police should understand but more often than not they don't, generly they will tell you to clean it up and if they want to be awkward they can fine you up to £100, but your friend should be able to get a note from the doctor which will automaticly excuse him