A MAN who exposed himself to a woman and sent lewd photos to a schoolgirl was branded a “pervert” by a judge.

Martin Richard Lee’s two offences occurred about 18 months apart.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Lee, 36, sent photos of himself over social media to a 15-year-old girl. She was left “upset” and described the pictures as “disgusting”. As police investigated, they learned of a separate earlier incident involving Lee. In an isolated location, he had “followed” a young woman before exposing himself to her.

Lee admitted sexual communication with a child. He denied exposure, but was convicted after a trial his victim had to attend. That court experience, prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said, had been “one of the most frightening days of her life”.

Lee also had a previous conviction for exposing himself to a female shop worker in July 2016.

He was high on alcohol and cocaine when committing his crimes, the court heard.

Holly Nelson, defending, said Lee had sought help for substance misuse and depression, his “life spiralling out of control” following his father’s death in 2002.

A community punishment and not prison, she suggested, would best benefit married dad Lee and the public at large. “He needs help,” said Ms Nelson. “He needs to stop this inappropriate sexual behaviour.”

Recorder Tim Hannam QC said a “pretty damning” probation report made for “alarming reading”, telling Lee: “The persistent trait in your case is to minimise responsibility for what has happened.”

Recorder Hannam concluded no prison sentence would be long enough for the rehabilitation work Lee required to take effect.

He imposed a 36-month community order comprising a sex offending treatment course, rehabilitation and three-month night-time curfew. Lee, of Hillersdon Terrace, Nenthead, must sign the sex offenders’ register, and follow the terms of a sexual harm prevention order, for five years.

“Put shortly, you are a pervert,” Recorder Hannam said. “It is obviously the case that you have a distorted attitude to women. Your behaviour, it seems to me, has been motivated entirely by your own sexual gratification. You simply enjoy exposing yourself.”