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Rochester store owner Maxine Medhurst's shock as male customer tries on skirt, performs sex act and flashes at horrified shoppers in The 44 Store

A shopkeeper has told how a man came into her store, tried on a skirt and exposed himself to customers - including women and a child.

Maxine Medhurst was behind the counter at The 44 Store, in Rochester High Street, when a man came in, picked up a size 12 denim mini skirt and went to the changing room.

But he did not draw the changing room curtain and took off his trousers, exposing his genitals as he was not wearing any underwear.

The customer appeared to arouse himself with his hands through the skirt
The customer appeared to arouse himself with his hands through the skirt

He fitted into the skirt and then appeared to arouse himself with his hands though the garment and paraded around the shop floor.

Horrified Mrs Medhurst called 999 and was told a police patrol car would go to the scene, but no one arrived.

It happened shortly after 1pm on Saturday. Mrs Medhurst, 44, who co-owns the store with her 19-year-old daughter Megan, said: "One lady, who had been at the back of the store trying on some shoes, came up to the counter and told me he he was exposing himself.

"The whole thing went on for about 20 minutes. It's all been caught on CCTV - you can clearly see what he is doing.

"I told the police he was still in the shop and they needed to come but no one ever turned up. I feel let down by that."

Maxine Medhurst dialled 999 as soon as she realised what was happening
Maxine Medhurst dialled 999 as soon as she realised what was happening

Mrs Medhurst added: "It was not very nice for my customers either. There was a couple in the shop who had a baby in a pram.

"He even came up to the counter to try and buy the skirt, but he only had euros so I said I didn't take them.

"I felt very uncomfortable afterwards and frightened later. Usually I would have been on my own in the shop or Megan would have been."

Mrs Medhurst's father John Moore, 69, a former police officer, said: "There were ladies and a child in the shop at the time and this man was exposing himself.

"I was a police officer for 23 years and I'm appalled no one was dispatched to the shop."

The 44 store in Rochester High Street
The 44 store in Rochester High Street

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at about 1.20pm on Saturday to a report of concern after a man had tried on a skirt in 44 Store in Rochester High Street.

"The caller said when the man came out of the changing room with the skirt on, he was exposing himself to other people in the shop.

"I told the police he was still in the shop and they needed to come but no one ever turned up. I feel let down by that..." - shop owner Maxine Medhurst

"The man is then reported to have gone back into the changing room and closed the curtain. Shortly after, the man, who was on his own, left the shop.

"Police liaised with CCTV operators who monitored the area. A patrol was deployed to the shop but was diverted to an urgent domestic incident in Chatham.

"No further sightings of the man were reported, so the matter was passed to neighbourhood officers to attend. An officer has since visited the shop to apologise for the delay in attending, make enquiries and gather evidence."

She added: "We are appealing to anyone with any information about this incident or similar incidents in the area to call us on 101, quoting crime reference 11-0667. Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

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