A HEXHAM man has been handed a community order after he admitted pleasuring himself in full view of his window.

Alan Charlton (45) of St Pauls Road, Hexham, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 14.

He admitted two counts of outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner relating to two separate incidents in January 2020.

Two passers-by reported him to the police on January 7 and January 25 after he was witnessed stood naked in the window of his home with the blinds open and the lights on.

Prosecuting, Grace Taylor told the court that although neither person could see Charlton’s genitals, it was clear what he was doing.

She said: “On January 7 2020, at 6pm a male was observed stood naked in his window. He had blinds but they were open and the lights were on. This male was the defendant.

“The witness saw that he was masturbating, but was unable to see his genitals. The witness’s rang their father who attended the address. The view of the window was almost at eye level.

“He observed the defendant masturbating at the window. There was no doubt of what he was doing. They then contacted the police. Officers attended the address and asked what he was doing, the defendant said he wasn’t masturbating.”

The court then heard that a similar incident occurred on January 25 at 4.30am, and that Charlton had one previous conviction for an indecent exposure offence in 2007.

Defending, Sophie Allinson said: “These are quite unusual offences which demand an explanation. There’s very little that can be said apart from apologising.

“To be frank, it’s appalling behaviour. It’s certainly not behaviour that two women should have had to witness. He bears the full responsibility, there is no way of excusing this type of behaviour.

“This gentleman has a vulnerability. He has suffered from tourettes from childhood without any mental health treatment. His father was abusive and refused to go ahead with any treatment.

“We have no idea what the cause of the behaviour is, but the defendant believes that this diagnosis is relevant to the behaviour.

“He was not fully visible in the window, he was not exposing himself to anyone on the street.

Miss Allinson went on to explain that Charlton has gone on to seek further help and has been diagnosed and treated for hypersexuality.

She added: “He is now on quite a high dose of medication. He tells me he feels far more stable and this behaviour has not been repeated.

“It would seem to make sense that the medication is working.

Miss Allinson also read out an apology from the defendant, where he explained he had also gone to apologise in person to the arresting officer.

Charlton was handed a community order and told he must participate in the Horizon Sex Offenders Programme for 35 sessions by January 13 2024.

He was also fined £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £90 and costs of £85.