A HEREFORD man who exposed himself to two women as he drove at high speed down a motorway has escaped a jail sentence.

Jason Thomas Steeple, of Peregrine Close, Putson, exposed himself to two women on the M5 in November 2006 and another woman in a separate incident 18 months before.

Tom Challinor, prosecuting, said the two women had chased the 27-year old's car and taken his number plate down.

He was ordered by Hereford Crown Court to complete a community sex offenders' group programme after a jury found him guilty on two counts of exposure.

The court heard that Steeple had elected for jury trial and maintained his innocence, despite being convicted on overwhelming evidence.

Judge David Matthews said Steeple was "in denial" and could not come to terms with what he had done.

He said the defendant needed help and warned him that breaching the order would leave him "in grave danger" of serving a prison sentence.

Michael Aspinall, defending, said that jailing Steeple would put his job, relationship and the tenancy of his home in jeopardy as his employers, Sainsbury's, were prepared to stand by him.

Steeple was ordered to complete the community order with the condition that he completes the programme during a three-year period under the probation service.