A FLASHER who exposed his genitals to a teenager and dogwalker in a busy Hereford street has been jailed for 12 months.

Worcester Crown Court heard how Benjamin Clarke, 36, had flashed at five different woman across a three-day period in May 2022.

The offences took place in Devon, and in Hereford's Commercial Road, all during daylight hours.

Prosecution barrister Raj Punia said the string of offences by Clarke, of no fixed address, had started in Devon.

On a bicycle, he pulled up to a car at a junction and asked the driver, a woman, for directions. The woman then saw he had exposed his genitals and was masturbating.

This left her scared, shocked, disgusted and traumatised, Ms Punia told the court.

Later that same day, Ms Punia said the second victim had got into her car and started driving down a street in a Devon village. There she saw Clarke pull down his jogging bottoms and expose himself, running after her car as she drove away.

Less than an hour later, Clarke struck again as a third victim was reversing onto her driveway.

He was stood on the opposite side of the street and pulled his trousers down, masturbating while staring at her. He pulled his trousers up and down as cars went past, eventually leaving after a friend of the victim intervened.

Then the following day in Hereford, a 17-year-old girl was waiting for her mother in Commercial Road. She was looking at her phone when she heard Clarke mumbling near her.

The muttering became louder and, when she looked up, Clarke was stood one metre away. He was staring at her and masturbating after exposing himself.

As the victim walked away, Clarke followed her until she phoned for help which caused him to leave.

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The fifth offence, the following day, left the victim feeling disgusted and shocked as Clarke approached her and pulled his trousers down while she was walking her dog in Commercial Road.

After calling the police, Clarke was found near Costa in the Old Market Shopping Centre and arrested. He said he did not remember any of the offences and did not give reasons for doing so.

Defence barrister Richard Hull said there were no clear reasons for the offending, but it was possible Clarke had some form on exhibitionist syndrome.

He said he had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the five counts of exposure and was his time on remand was his first in custody.

Judge James Burbidge jailed Clarke for 12 months for the five offences.

The sentence could have been suspended, but the judge said he wouldn't have been doing his public duty if he did so.

Clarke must also sign the sex offenders register.

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