Looking Into Privacy

The Supreme Court has overturned the indecency conviction of a B.C. man spotted masturbating near a window in his own home.

The Court's decision on Thursday is sure to be celebrated by civil rights groups who argued the conviction eroded privacy rights.

More than four years ago, neighbours saw Daryl Clark touching himself in his home in Nanaimo and called police.

When an officer arrived, he shone his flashlight at the house and Clark jumped back from the window, turning off the lights.

A court in B.C. convicted him of wilfully committing an indecent act in a public place and sentenced him to four months in jail.

His lawyer asked the Supreme Court to reject the conviction, arguing that Clark never meant to be observed and that a living room can't be considered a public place.