It’s been a difficult few weeks for Kate Beckinsale. The 49-year-old English actress has been grieving the death of her beloved cat Clive, who became a star in his own right during the coronavirus pandemic, winning a whole legion of fans for his participation in a series of posts published online by his owner.

Clive, passed away at the rip old age of 17 (84 in human years) last month and Kate is still dealing with her loss. “Clive has died. I don’t have it in me to make a montage or even look at pictures of him yet. Every single part of my house feels like he should be in it. If anyone is expecting to hear from me, you may not for a bit and I’m sorry,” she posted on Instagram on 14 June.

Beckinsale at rock bottom after death of pet cat

Perhaps the pain of missing her fluffy feline friend was the motive behind the cheeky video she posted on Monday night. Life can be very unfair at times, which is why Kate decided to stick two fingers up - or rather two buns, to the world. Her designer pal filmed Kate ‘mooning’ out of an apartment window. “Two buses went past. Do do think anyone was looking up?” the Underworld and Love & Friendship actress asked to giggles from her friend.

She explained all in an accompanying caption: “The day after Clive died and I received some of the most horrific news I’ve ever received that next morning - sometimes there’s nothing for it but for your friend to show up as hard as possible and spend the evening making prank calls and mooning Harvey Nichols because sometimes when the bottom falls out of your world the only response after crying till you’re sick is your own bottom @nina_kate I’ll never forget you jumping into the fire with me x”.

For the uninitiated, ‘mooning’ is an act in which someone drops their trousers and underwear to reveal their bare buttocks in public. It is usually performed as a joke to get a laugh although some viewers find it distasteful, insulting or rude. In some countries, mooning is regarded as indecent exposure and is a punishable offence. How serious an offence mooning is varies from country to country.

In Kate’s case, she was mooning out of a window in a high storey building so it’s unlikely than anyone would have noticed outside. If Kate’s bum flash wasn’t intentionally directed at anyone or seen by anyone (the video captures her fully clothed from the front) then it’s hard to see it being classed as indecent exposure but what does the law say? What are the chances Kate could find herself in arrears with UK authorities?

Indecent exposure versus Public indecency - what’s the difference?

Indecent exposure is defined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It is an offence for a person to intentionally expose their genitals with the intention for someone to see them and be alarmed or distressed. The maximum sentence for being found guilty of indecent exposure is two years’ imprisonment, although in most cases, offenders are dealt a fine or even just a caution.

However, indecent exposure is considered to be a sexual offence, falling under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, so anyone found guilty may find themselves listed on the register of sex offenders.

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Public indecency is classed as an offence when “a person does anything that is lewd, obscene, or disgusting in public”. It is a more serious offence than mere ‘indecent exposure’. Because it is so serious, it is a requirement that the behavior be shocking to reasonable people. And because the standard is so high, it is more likely that one will be charged with indecent exposure rather than outraging public decency.

It’s unlikely that anyone saw Beckinsale’s bare bum on full display for a few seconds and so far no one at Harvey Nichols has complained so it looks like Kate has got away with it and can leave it all behind her.