A 40-year-old man who exposed himself in a church porch after parading around the churchyard with a poppy wreath from a war memorial on his head has been spared prison.

Last month Toby Millett, pleaded guilty before Ipswich magistrates to engaging in indecent behaviour at St Peter’s Church, Freston, near Ipswich, in the early hours of Sunday, December 21.

Millett, of River View Road, Harkstead, who had 185 previous offences on his record, was given a four-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he returned to the court today.

He was also ordered to pay £40 costs and £80 to the victims’ fund.

Sentencing Millett, who is currently seeking help for alcoholism, Chairman of the Bench Ann Graves told him: “This was unacceptable behaviour. The public the public at large would find disrespectful and insulting, particularly in a place of worship and that it involved a wreath that had been laid on a war memorial.”

At his earlier hearing Millett’s solicitor Shelley Drew, told the court: “Sadly this is a bit of drunk stupidity that took place in the early hours of the morning that unfortunately has placed him in this position of being before the court.

“Alcohol in his words some time ago to me is his rampant beguiler.

“Alcohol is something that takes hold of him and it’s then he commits these silly offences.

“He accepts his alcohol intake is getting out of control again. He had it under control previously.”