Key Points
- Marek Dziadowicz, of Musselburgh, East Lothian, committed a public indecency act on South St David Street in Edinburgh.
- The incident occurred in daylight in June 2021 on a central commercial street.
- Edinburgh Sheriff Court convicted Dziadowicz of public indecency following his prosecution.
- The court ordered Dziadowicz onto the sex offenders’ register as part of his sentence.
- A judge issued an arrest warrant for Dziadowicz after he missed scheduled court appearances.
EDINBURGH (Edinburgh Daily) September 12, 2026 — A Musselburgh man who engaged in a solo sex act in broad daylight on a prominent Edinburgh city centre street has been formally placed on the sex offenders’ register following judicial proceedings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Marek Dziadowicz, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, committed the act of public indecency on South St David Street, a busy thoroughfare located just off Princes Street in the heart of the capital. The offense occurred in June 2021 when members of the public witnessed the act, prompting immediate law enforcement intervention.
What occurred during the public indecency incident on South St David Street?
As reported by the Court Reporter for the East Lothian Courier, Marek Dziadowicz engaged in a visible solo sex act on South St David Street in June 2021. The incident took place in an open area accessible to pedestrians and shoppers navigating Edinburgh’s central commercial zone.
According to official court documentation cited by reporters, witnesses observed Dziadowicz performing the indecent act in public view, leading directly to a report being lodged with Police Scotland. Officers responded to the locus on South St David Street, where Dziadowicz was apprehended and subsequently charged under Scottish common law governing crimes of public indecency and moral outrage.
What were the legal proceedings and sentencing decisions at Edinburgh Sheriff Court?
Following his arrest, the case against Dziadowicz was prosecuted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. As detailed by the East Lothian Courier, the prosecution outlined the circumstances of the public offense, confirming that Dziadowicz carried out the act in a location where members of the public were present and able to witness the conduct.
The presiding Sheriff determined that the nature of the act warranted notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act framework. Consequently, Dziadowicz was placed on the sex offenders’ register. In addition to the registration order, judicial records indicate that an arrest warrant was issued at a subsequent stage of the procedural schedule when Dziadowicz failed to appear for scheduled court diet proceedings.
Background of the Particular Development
Public indecency offences in Scotland are governed primarily by Scottish common law, which classifies intentional indecent acts committed in view of the public as crimes against public morals. Under Scots law, an act does not necessarily need to take place in a designated outdoor public area to constitute an offence; rather, the requirement is satisfied if the act occurs in a setting where it can be observed by members of the public.
South St David Street serves as a key connecting arterial pedestrian and vehicle link between St Andrew Square and Princes Street. Because of its proximity to major retail outlets, public transport links, and commercial offices, the street experiences high daily footfall.
In recent years, Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Police Scotland have maintained strict enforcement policies regarding public order and indecency offenses in high-density urban areas. Statutory notification requirements—commonly referred to as being placed on the sex offenders’ register—mandate that individuals convicted of relevant offences notify Police Scotland of their personal details, address changes, and travel plans for a duration determined by the court.
Future Outlook: How This Development Can Affect the Local Community and Legal Precedents
The sentencing outcome and registration order enforced against Marek Dziadowicz carry direct implications for several primary audiences across Edinburgh and East Lothian:
1. Local Residents and City Centre Pedestrians
For residents, commuters, and shoppers who utilize Edinburgh’s city centre, the prosecution underscores police and judicial responses to public indecency. The application of notification requirements provides a mechanism for law enforcement to monitor individuals convicted of sexual or indecent acts in public spaces, aiming to mitigate public safety concerns in commercial districts.
2. Legal Framework and Law Enforcement Monitoring
For Police Scotland and the judicial system, placing public indecency offenders on the sex offenders’ register establishes clear boundaries regarding public conduct. This enforcement serves as a reference point for similar common-law prosecutions in Scottish courts, confirming that non-consensual public sexual acts carry formal registration penalties alongside standard criminal records.
