TWO women walking home after a night out in Darwen were followed by a 24-year-old man who then confronted them and exposed himself.

Blackburn magistrates heard the women were "terrified" and "disgusted" by the behaviour of Jason James Firth and one of them was physically sick as a result of the experience.

Firth, 24, of Richmond Terrace, Darwen, pleaded guilty to exposing himself.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to each of the women and £55 costs.

Richard Mitcalf, prosecuting, said the women had been walking home in the early hours of a Sunday morning after a night out in Darwen town centre.

They were confronted by Firth who dropped his trousers and approached them.

He read extracts from statements in which the first woman said: "He had a silly grin on his face and seemed to be getting off on the fact that we were so scared.

"I felt totally disgusted and repulsed by what this man had done and I was physically sick as a result."

The second woman said: "I was terrified."

Basharat Ditta, defending, said Firth, who had no previous convictions, wished to express his regret, remorse and embarrassment.

"Initially he kept this matter from his family but they are now fully aware of the circumstances," said Mr Ditta

He said Firth had been drinking Aftershock and had consumed an "extraordinary" amount of alcohol.

"That is not an excuse but perhaps offers some kind of explanation," said Mr Ditta.