A man who exposed himself to schoolgirls has been handed a community rehabilitation order

Sean Campbell, 27, of Sioux Close, High Woods, Colchester, admitted the charge, which took place on January 16, as well as possessing 1.9g of cannabis.

Colchester Magistrates' Court heard yesterday how Campbell had loitered in the bushes near to High Woods Approach and exposed himself to the two girls, who are pupils at a senior school.

This, said Andrew Perry, prosecuting, happened a few times before the girls reported him to the police.

After the girls told police where Campbell hid, a non-uniformed officer found him smoking cannabis. He was promptly arrested.

Campbell tried to flee. After a chase around High Woods Approach and Chinook, he was found and charged with exposing himself.

Paul Baker, defending, said: "He had some kind of breakdown last year."

Magistrates ordered him on a 15-month community rehabilitation order. There was no separate penalty for the drugs charge.

Published Thursday, March 7, 2002