A PERVERT who twice exposed himself to women walking dogs has dodged jail - so he can get the help he needs for his "impetuous expression of his sexuality".

Thomas Bateman was given a suspend sentence and ordered to go on a sex offender treatment programme after striking in Redcar, east Cleveland, days apart.

The 21-year-old - who was convicted after a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month - still denies carrying out a sex act in front of his victims.

But a judge said his behaviour was deliberate and distressing, and made more worrying for the women because the incidents involved him following them.

On each occasion - at 6.20pm on January 27, and 11.30am on February 1 - Bateman was first spotted in an alley with his flies undone, said David Crook, prosecuting.

The lawyer failed in a bid to have imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning Bateman from loitering in alleyways, and at seafronts and sand dunes.

His barrister, Jonathan Walker, said one of Bateman's victims described his actions as "silly" and said the women had shown fortitude during the trial.

Mr Walker said the behaviour could be "an impetuous expression of his sexuality" or an "experimental expression born out of naivety" rather than predatory.

Judge Tony Briggs described Bateman as "immature and irresponsible" as he passed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision.

He said: "I don't doubt for one minute that you ever considered the likely distressing effect on the two ladies who had the misfortune to witness your conduct.

"Following the initial contact, you did follow them, but you did not directly approach them, getting in reach, but it was distressing and upsetting.

"The real problem here is if I sentence you to immediate imprisonment it doesn't involve any further investigation of your conduct, and the danger of repetition undoubtedly might exist without that.

"Attendance upon the programme is not an option. You are compelled to attend. Whether you take advantage of it or not is entirely a matter for you.

"But this is your last chance in relation to offending of this nature."

Bateman, of High Street, Redcar, was convicted of two charges of exposure.