A MAN caused shock and disgust by his lewd behaviour in Blackburn, a court heard.

Philip Place was seen exposing himself in public, or behaving in a similar way, on half a dozen occasions and one time he was chased by people before he was arrested by police.

The 43-year-old, of Bunkers Hill Close, Blackburn, appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent exposure and outraging public decency.

He was given three years community rehabilitation and will have to take part in a community sex offenders programme. He will be on the sex offenders register for five years.

The offences took place in the Mill Hill area.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said the first was on January 20 last year when a woman was taking her young son to school. As she got to Railway View, she saw Place exposing himself. She was shocked and disgusted by what she saw.

Other incidents then followed in the New Chapel Street and Moorgate Street areas. Each time, it was witnessed by a female.

Then in March last year, a woman aged around 30 was in her vehicle when she became aware of a man stood on a footpath, at the side of her car.

It was the defendant and he dropped his trousers to expose himself.

Place was chased and a number of people became involved in the pursuit.

He was arrested and when asked if he had been involved in any earlier incidents, accepted that he had.

Judge Anthony Russell said: "It was a very distressing series of events for the people who were the victims of your crimes.

"It is also clear to me if that risk is to be lessened, not just for your benefit, but particularly for the benefit of the public, you need help.

"At the moment that risk can be effectively managed in the community."