A 49-YEAR-old man who exposed himself to a woman in her 20s on a cycle path in Hereford has been given a high-level community order.

Graham Newman, of Thomas Close, Hereford pleaded guilty to two counts of exposure, which happened on August 6 last year and again on August 13.

He was due to stand trial on February 8 but changed his plead to guilty, and sentencing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Herefordshire Magistrates Court heard a woman in her early 20s was cycling on the Greenway cycle route, which runs across the River Wye from St James and Bartonsham to Rotherwas, when Newman exposed himself to her.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said that both offences took place early in the morning as Newman was walking his dog.

He said: "She was concerned by his behaviour but more concerned how a vulnerable person might react."

Mr Jones said Newman had a conviction of a similar nature in 1990.

Emma Prosser, in mitigation said: "These offences, that for him he was extremely embarrassed about. It took a lot to face up to his offending and confront his offending behaviour."

Ms Prosser said Newman is in a long term relationship and his partner is supportive of him.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: "You also have a previous conviction for a similar offence and you are still not sure why you did this."

He said if the victim was more vulnerable, his behaviour could have caused serious trauma.

He gave Newman a 30-month community order and he was ordered to complete a community sexual offender group programme. He was also ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and ordered to pay £450 costs and £85 victim surcharge. He has been put on the sex offenders register for five years.