A FLASHER who sparked a police hunt across two force areas was told yesterday (Thursday, October 9) he had ruined the lives of his young victims and their families.

Keith Whitworth was arrested after the fifth in a series of incidents, which happened in Darlington on August 15 and involved a 12-year-old girl.

Earlier, the 37-year-old had struck in Catterick Village and Bedale, in North Yorkshire, and in Darlington and Newton Aycliffe across the summer.

A warming was published in The Northern Echo as police looked for the driver of a black Volkswagen Polo.

It was CCTV which captured a full licence plate and Whitworth, of Burneston, near Bedale, was arrested.

He confessed to another exposure offence in Newton Aycliffe in January, and has since admitted his activities have he been going on for three years.

Wheelchair-user Whitworth was due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, but Judge Michael Taylor said he needed to know how the defendant would manage in prison, and how the authorities will cope with his disabilities.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said the offending terrified some of the children who saw Whitworth flashing and carrying out a sex act.

In an impact statement, a 12-year-old girl revealed how she now rarely sleeps, and if she hears noises she thinks Whitworth is trying to break into her home.

She said: "I want him to know it has ruined my life . . . my confidence has crumbled . . . I used to love playing out. I will never be the same girl again.

Her mother told Judge Taylor how she has gone from a "kind, sensitive and polite" child to a worrier who is withdrawn, self-conscious and scared.

She said: "I want him to know that as a result of him getting his little kicks, he has changed her life for the worse."

Another mum said: "I am horrified at what happened, and my family have been deeply and emotionally affected by it. The children have been broken."

Whitworth, who admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and four of exposure, was remanded in custody until October 27.

His barrister, Tom Mitchell, told the court: "If a non-custodial option was exercised in this case, it would come with a condition he gets the maximum period of treatment."