Man Jailed after Strand-on-the-Green Exposure Incident
Local officer found new witness to help secure conviction
Tripurari Sobhai, 52, was jailed for ten months for indecent exposure and assaulting an emergency worker. Picture: Met Police
A man has been sentenced to ten months in prison after police in Chiswick secured new evidence that allowed them to reopen an exposure case initially dropped by prosecutors earlier this year.
The incident took place on 6 May 2026 on Strand-on-the-Green, where a man was reported to have exposed himself to women walking past. Officers detained a suspect at the time, and the incident was captured on CCTV with witness statements taken. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to authorise a charge while the man was in custody, and he was released.
The following day, the same individual was arrested again for breaching prison release conditions, but was again released — this time by the court. The decisions prompted concern among residents and local officers.
Sgt Gareth O’Donnell, who leads the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, said he was “extremely disappointed” by the initial CPS outcome and challenged the decision with senior police leadership, CPS officials and local MP Andy Slaughter. He said part of the difficulty stemmed from changes introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026, which had created complications in similar cases.
With no further evidence available at the time, officers were unable to re-arrest the suspect. Sgt O’Donnell reviewed the CCTV again and identified an additional victim who had not previously been traced. After obtaining a statement from her, officers launched a targeted search and arrested the suspect on 15 May.
This Thursday (1 October), Tripurari Sobhai, 52, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for exposure and assaulting an emergency worker, the latter relating to an incident while in custody.
Sgt O’Donnell said the team would continue to target key suspects and crime types as they move into the autumn months. He also warned residents and visitors about a recent rise in vehicle crime, urging people not to leave valuables in their cars. Thieves, he said, were using torches to check for bags inside boots and breaking windows if they spotted anything.
“We are seeing an increase again,” he said. “Please advise any visitors you have, as most victims are not local residents.”
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