A dad-of-three, Michael Shaw, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for breaking into the home of two unsuspecting women and performing a sex act in their bathroom.

The horrifying incident occurred in February when Shaw, 30, climbed through a bathroom window of the women's home. At 1:20 am, one of the women was awake watching a film while the other was asleep. When the first woman went to the toilet, she heard noises, prompting her to investigate.

Upon reaching the landing, she noticed a reflection in the bathroom mirror, which she could see through the door. As she observed, the reflection began to move as if someone was crouching down. Concerned, she woke the second woman, who also went to the bathroom.

The first woman then stepped into the bathroom, only to be met with the disturbing sight of Shaw standing with his trousers down to his knees. Shocked and terrified, the women screamed and demanded to know what he was doing. Shaw apologized and put on his shoes before attempting to sit on the toilet and then the stairs, each time being ordered to leave.

After being kicked out, Shaw was observed by one of the women performing a sex act outside the property. He then returned to his temporary accommodation.

The women reported the incident to the police, who subsequently arrested Shaw. A victim statement revealed one of the women was left feeling anxious and unable to sleep without medication. She suffered from night terrors and no longer felt safe in her own home, despite installing an alarm and camera system. The incident also violated her sense of security as she had not allowed anyone into her home for almost a year due to fears of contracting COVID-19.

Shaw had a previous conviction for possession of a knife from the previous month and had been given a three-month suspended sentence. In April, he pleaded guilty to two counts of exposure and one of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Shaw's defense counsel argued that he had suffered from childhood trauma which was exacerbated by drug and alcohol use. He had been forced to leave his mother's home due to flooding and had been staying alone in temporary accommodation.

The court heard that Shaw had displayed erratic behavior in the months leading up to the incident, which included two instances of being detained for his own well-being. A psychological analysis revealed issues of childhood trauma amplified by his substance abuse and a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Sentencing Shaw, Recorder Ben Douglas-Jones QC described his behavior as "frightening, disturbing, and offensive." He emphasized the terrifying experience of the victims, stating that "It's like something from a horror movie."

In addition to the 30-month prison sentence, Shaw was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life and was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.