A gardener exposed himself to a number of women he was carrying out work for in west Dorset.

Darren Salmon, 41 and formerly of Bridport, was working as a gardener in the town when he exposed himself to a number of people he was carrying out work for at various addresses, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The defendant either claimed to his victims that his trouser zip was broken or he had been stung by an insect and asked for assistance, at which point they realised he was exposing himself.

The offences took place between Wednesday, August 1, and Thursday, September 6, 2018 and his victims were women aged between 19 and 92.

The incidents were reported to police and Salmon, of Salisbury Green in Southampton, was arrested on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, November 11, after admitting eight counts of indecent exposure.

He was sentenced to a three-year community order, with a requirement to attend a 35-day accredited programme and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Salmon was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

Police Constable Kerry Cordier, of Dorset Police’s Volume Crime Team, said: “These incidents were distressing for the victims involved and I would like to thank all of them who came forward and assisted our investigation.

“We would urge anyone else who has been approached in similar circumstances to please contact us at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”