Serial Bus Flasher Jailed for Molesting Mother and Baby
Bobby Garande, 30, one of London’s most notorious flashers, has been locked up again. The self-confessed pervert was caught masturbating in front of a mum and her baby on a Lewisham bus. Woolwich Crown Court handed him a 16-month prison sentence on June 20.
Repeated Crimes Despite Court Order
Garande has ten prior convictions for flashing on public transport. His excuse? He claimed the bus vibrations gave him an erection, triggering his disgusting behaviour.
Despite multiple jail stints and a strict court order banning him from touching his chest or genitals – or even making eye contact with women on public transit – Garande went back to his filthy ways.
Horrified Woman Forced to Flee
On March 22, Garande got on the bus, sat down, and began rubbing his chest before groping himself over his trousers. He then exposed himself and masturbated while glaring at a woman travelling with her infant. When the mum moved seats, he stalked her and kept going.
Prosecutor Sarah O’Kane told the court the woman noticed his “blank stare” and terrifying eye contact. He briefly stopped when a group of men got on the bus, but quickly resumed his vile actions. The mum had to ask a passerby to escort her home, terrified. When she checked the sex offender register online, she found Garande’s name and reported him to police.
“I feel sick and angry. I’m scared to go out alone now,” the victim said in a statement.
Garande’s Disturbing History and Mental Health Claims
When arrested, Garande admitted, “I keep doing this, there’s a reason I keep doing this.” He said NHS meds left him unable to get an erection, and bus vibrations helped him. He pled guilty to indecent exposure and breaching his behaviour order.
This marks his 10th indecent exposure conviction. Previous crimes include flashing on a number 50 bus in front of kids in 2020, for which he served 16 weeks. In 2021, he masturbated on a train while staring at an elderly woman, earning 27 months.
While in jail, he was convicted again for masturbating on a Blackfriars train in 2021 and got an extra 26 weeks added.
Defence lawyer Harriet Palfreman said Garande is “deeply remorseful” and suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, diagnosed in 2016 after a spell of homelessness. She added his impulses worsen when his mental health dips. Despite help finding housing and work, he keeps reoffending.
Judge Sends Strong Message
Judge Steven Kovats KC acknowledged Garande’s mental illness but stressed the offence was a “deliberate act.” He slapped him with 16 months behind bars plus a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Garande’s case exposes the tough challenge police and courts face managing sex offenders with severe mental health disorders – especially when it comes to protecting the public on London’s buses and trains.
