A MAN sent an explicit picture of his genitals to a teenage girl, a court heard.

Nigel Burton was hauled before the courts after the 16-year-old girl told her mother of the shocking image, which was accompanied by a lewd message.

The 36-year-old, of Southend Road in Penrith, sent the messages to the girl via Facebook, the court heard.

She told him her age but he kept sending her indecent communications, North and West Cumbria Magistrates Court in Carlisle was told.

The victim told police that she was disgusted and shocked.

Burton pleaded guilty to sending a message which was of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient on March 14, 2020 at Penrith.

George Shelley. prosecuting, said they had never met in person but she knew he lived in Penrith.

The court was told Burton has 28 previous convictions for 37 offences - all dissimilar to the image offence.

Burton’s lawyer Gail Heard said he admitted the offence and voluntarily gave a statement to police.

At the time he had split from a long term relationship, lost his job, and had used drugs as a crutch.

She said he felt shame, regret and was deeply distressed.

She said he apologises to the young victim but he told police he remembers very little of the texting conversation.

After reading a pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service, Burton was given a community order for 18-months.

He has to complete 200 hours of unpaid work plus 25 days of rehabilitation activity days with prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.