A MARRIED Carlisle man who has admitted twice exposing himself to his neighbours has been put on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

The city's Rickergate court heard how the behaviour of David Shaun Wastson, 50, left one of his neighbours so upset that the family decided to move house to get away from him.

Prosecutor John Moran described how the defendant, from Scotby Gardens, Carlisle, committed his first offence in September last year, a month after police had officially warned him following an earlier claim that he exposed himself to people living nearby.

Ye at 1.25pm, on September 19, a neighbour saw him perform a sex act directly in front of his house window.

"She was of the view that he must have known she was there," said Mr Moran.

"The woman was shocked and distressed by his behaviour." The defendant exposed himself again on September 27, this time at 4pm.

A neighbour saw him standing at his patio doors, and he was again performing a sex act in front of the window. "It had an effect on the victim's health," said the prosecutor.

When police challenged him, Watson initially denied wrongdoing, saying he had a rash and was scratching it.

The prosecutor said of the victim: "She couldn't look out of the window because she was afraid of what she might see. The victim described the whole situation as a nightmare. They moved away from that address."

Paul Tweddle, for Watson, said the offences were out of character, committed against a background of mental health issues. As a result of the prosecution, Watson had lost his job.

"It's also put a strain on his relationship with his wife," said Mr Tweddle, adding that Probation Service officials believed the risk of reoffending was low.

Magistrates noted the impact on the neighbour who had moved. They imposed a 12 week jail term, but agreed to suspend the sentence for 18 months. In the meantime, Watson must complete 30 days of rehabilitation with the Probation Service.

The requirement to go on the Sex Offenders' Register involves a raft of requirements, including notifying the police should he wish to stay at an address where a child is living; notifying the police in advance if he plans to travel abroad; and confirming his details with police every year.