Royal Navy officer sacked for flashing female junior colleagues on board HMS Montrose

A Royal Navy petty officer who repeatedly flashed junior female colleagues while on board warship HMS Montrose has been thrown out of the military. 

Electronic warfare specialist Daniel Ball 'targeted' the two women, exposing himself more than 10 times over a three-month period. 

The 32-year-old father of two abused the 'pastoral' position he held over his victims as a higher ranked sailor leading them to "lose all faith in command", a military court heard. 

When one of the women complained, she said she felt it was "brushed under the carpet" while, in a 'vindictive' move, PO Ball attempted to block the other woman being promoted after she blew the whistle on him, the court was told. 

The judge in his case said the petty officer's "premeditated and deliberate" behaviour could not be "swept aside as misplaced banter" and warranted dismissal from the Royal Navy. 

At the time of the offences, PO Ball was head of the electronic warfare department on board Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose.

Prosecuting, Captain Daniel Lawlor told Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, that PO Ball specifically targeted junior sailors, who can't be named for legal reasons.

He said: "(There are) two complainants. During the period he exposed his testicles in the operation room.

"He would target female rates. He exposed himself in excess of 10 times only in front of junior rates – not in the company of senior rates. 

"The aggravating factors of this case are his rank and abuse of a position of authority. 

"PO Ball is a senior non-commissioned officer who targeted them – there is a real disparity in rank." 

The court heard that these incidents took place in the operation room or the bridge wing of the ship.

One male colleague could remember PO Ball exposing his penis. 

In addition to flashing, PO Ball sent a photo of another male, with genitals exposed, to a WhatsApp group chat, with the caption "just for you girls". 

Capt Lawlor told the court the female sailors were "clearly not receptive" to PO Ball's message – who claimed he was "in a state of drink" at the time. 

PO Ball also admitted making an explicit sexual request to a junior female sailor after telling her: "It's been months since I have had a shag."

Capt Lawlor said: "This shows a comment he was prepared to make in front of junior rates."

The court heard that when initially interviewed by military police, PO Ball claimed exposing his testicles was not intentional – only happening because he "doesn't wear pants". 

Upon further questioning, he explained it had been done to male colleagues to show his 'larger than usual' testicles. 

The women had their victim personal statements read out in court, describing their feeling of "vulnerability", being "sexualised" and how it had all happened "because we are girls". 

One said they "dreaded" deployment as a result of his behaviour. 

She said: "I felt like I should be safe in the workplace. I have lost all faith in command, there is no-one to speak to. 

"When we have, it has been brushed under the carpet. All of this has happened because we are girls."

The other said: "PO Ball... conducted himself in a completely unacceptable manner. 

"It made me angry and annoyed he could get away with it." 

PO Ball pleaded guilty to three charges – two of disgraceful conduct and one of improper use of electronic communications. 

Defending the warfare specialist, Michael Green told the court PO Ball knew his behaviour had been "totally unacceptable" and was "deeply remorseful" for his "serious lack of judgement". 

Addressing PO Ball, Judge Alistair McGrigor said: "We find the behaviour pre-meditated and deliberate. 

"You were, at the time, a petty officer, and targeted those two young female subordinates. 

"They were clearly affected by your behaviour." 

The judge described PO Ball's behaviour as "vindictive" after stifling one of his victim's attempts at promotion after she had made a complaint against him. 

He added: "You also would have had a pastoral duty towards them. 

"Such sexualised and lewd behaviour in the confines of a warship has potential to erode unit cohesion and operational effectiveness. 

"Behaviour such as yours has no place in the Royal Navy today. 

"It can't be swept aside as misplaced banter. You and the Navy must part ways and you must be dismissed." 

Alongside dismissal, PO Ball was handed a three-year community service order – including 37 sexual offenders' programme sessions, 20 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work.