A sex pervert was banned from watching girls for five years and jailed yesterday.

Kevin Thompson,42, was given a sexual offences prevention order until 2010 that he must not loiter near or approach any person under 18 congregating or playing in public places.

Thompson, who lives with his mother, is known by teenagers in his area as a sex attacker and persistent exposer, Judge Peter Bowers was told.

Thompson was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years for indecent assault, four offences of indecent exposure, and sexual activity in the presence of a child.

He was found guilty of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl he stalked as she walked home in Normanby, Teesside, but he admitted the other offences between May last year and this August.

Dan Cordey, prosecuting, said that Thompson's trousers were round his ankles when he leapt on the woman, before sticking one hand up her skirt and also grabbing her breast. She pushed him off and ran away.

Thompson also stepped naked from his front door as three teenage girls walked past, and a woman neighbour caught him performing a sex act in a corridor, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He also shocked shoppers by performing a sex act in Captain Cook's Square, Middlesbrough.

Jonnie Walker, mitigating, said that Thompson was a tragic, lonely man who knew that he needed help.

The judge told Thompson: "I am troubled because I think you are a very sad individual.

"You have been very lonely, and I am sure that you have some very deep-seated sexual problems."

Thompson, of St Patrick's Road, Grangetown, was also jailed for a year.

On his release, he will serve five years probation with supervision.

He was banned for life from working with children.