A HEREFORD man has been ordered to complete unpaid work after sending a slew of unwanted messages and a picture of his genitals to a shop assistant.

David Alan Finch appeared before Hereford magistrates for sentencing after admitting pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to harassment by sending numerous messages, including one of his penis, at a previous hearing.

Finch had been a regular customer at the shop where the victim works, but had not spoken to her much before February, when he started to become chatty, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said at his plea hearing.

He had also started parking outside the shop and had offered her a lift home one day.

But on February 18, she received an unsolicited message from Finch asking if she used messaging service Hangouts.

The victim did not reply, but continued to receive messages from Finch, including one which said "I know I am married but I think you are gorgeous," and a picture of his penis with the message "just for you xx".

Finch continued to visit the shop after sending the messages, speaking to the victim and later messaging her again, to which she again did not respond.

"She did not report the messages straight away as she was very upset," Miss Blacklock said.

"But she then spoke to her friends and decided to report them."

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Philip Cornell, for Finch, said the 47-year-old had realised as soon as he sent the picture that it was not appropriate and so deleted it.

"Why it happened we do not know," he said.

"There is a lot that needs to be looked at considering the seriousness, and I would ask for a full report to be done."

The case was adjourned to June 23 for a full pre-sentencing report to be carried out by probation.

Finch, of Curl View Crescent, Pembridge, was handed an 18-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and a two-year restraining order. He must also pay compensation of £345.