A MAN who exposed his genitals to young women outside a shopping centre then claimed his trousers had fallen down has avoided a jail sentence.

Stephen Bates, 27, observed the women aged 19 and 20 at the Fairwater shopping centre car park in Cwmbran, a court heard.

Bates later tried to make eye contact with the “alarmed” women as he exposed himself to them, Newport Magistrates' Court heard yesterday [October 17].

He told police a missing button had caused his trousers to fall down then claimed he planned to urinate in public because there were no toilets, the court heard.

Bates, of Shelley Green, Cwmbran, denied one count of indecent exposure but was found guilty of the charge after a trial.

His solicitor, Richard Kendall, yesterday pleaded the magistrates to spare him a custodial sentence, saying his client was fully aware they had powers to sent him to prison.

JP Donald Cecil gave him 150 hours unpaid work, £100 costs and a £60 surcharge after hearing he was turning his life around with support from charity workers.

The bench also ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

Crown prosecutor, Mike Powell, told the court how the women saw Bates several times during their lunch break at the shopping centre on April 24.

They first noticed him the car park and again after returning from shops at the Fairwater precinct, the court heard.

One of the women later picked him out at an identity parade, Mr Powell said.

Mr Kendall said his client had a “troubled history” but pledged this type of offence would not occur again.

He stressed that Bates had "very poor education" but attended Pontypool College and received support from the United Response charity, which helps him manage his life and finances.

JP Cecil ordered him to complete the unpaid work as part of a one-year supervision order and settle his court bill at a rate of £10 a fortnight.