NEWBURY — Kevin Wingate, the Barrington, New Hampshire man accused of fondling himself while driving on Interstate 95 north in October, apologized to his victim during his Friday appearance in Newburyport District Court .

A moment later, the victim, speaking via video link, thanked him for his apology and for taking responsibility.

“Your action really affected me, not just that day but for a while,” the victim said, adding that all she wanted was for Wingate to issue a “sincere apology.”

Wingate saw a single count of lewd, gratuitous and lascivious conduct continue for nine months without result. If he stays out of trouble with the law and stays away and has no contact with the victim during this time, the charge will be dropped. If he had been found guilty, he could have been sentenced to six months in prison.

State Trooper Lawrence Richardson and other soldiers responded to the Newbury section of the four-lane highway on October 29, 2021 at 3:12 p.m. after learning that a man in a Ford F-150 pickup truck was exposing himself to other motorists. A woman said Wingate fondled herself as she walked past.

Richardson and Cavalier Kyle Flanagan caught up with Wingate just as he was crossing New Hampshire and stopped him at the rest stop in Seabrook. The victim also parked at the rest area.

Wingate initially denied exposing himself when questioned by Flanagan. Flanagan then spoke to the woman. When this happened, Richardson spoke to Wingate and told him he didn’t believe his story.

“I told him my suspicions about his deception and asked him again what happened. Wingate said yes he did and was embarrassed,” Richardson wrote in his report. .

He added that Wingate said his wife sent him a series of provocative texts minutes before the meeting.

Richardson then asked how the woman could have seen him touching since his van was high up, a question Wingate had no answer to.

Richardson then walked over to the woman, who told him that as she was driving down the freeway, Wingate pulled up to her car and got up from her seat while touching herself. The woman also said Wingate watched her as her truck kept pace with her vehicle.

“Based on my conversations with (the woman), I find her to be very believable and truthful,” Richardson wrote in her report.

Richardson then told Wingate that he would be summoned to court.

“Wingate engaged in sexual conduct in public for the purpose of arousing or offending. Wingate did so with a reckless disregard for the risk of being seen by others who might be offended,” wrote Richardson in his report.

Dave Rogers is a reporter for the Daily News in Newburyport. Email him at: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.