A MAN who flashed his genitals at seven elderly women and a 15-year-old-girl claimed he did it to take his mind off other things. Barry O'Connor, 52, from Willow Way in Ludham, near Yarmouth, pleaded guilty at Norwich magistrates court to exposing himself, intending to cause alarm or distress, in Neatishead and Blofield in November 27 last year, Blofield Heath on November 6, Salhouse on May 24 and October 11, Sutton on August 29, Hickling on May 24 and Lessingham on July 5, 2005.

A MAN who flashed his genitals at seven elderly women and a 15-year-old-girl claimed he did it to take his mind off other things.

Barry O'Connor, 52, from Willow Way in Ludham, near Yarmouth, pleaded guilty at Norwich magistrates court to exposing himself, intending to cause alarm or distress, in Neatishead and Blofield in November 27 last year, Blofield Heath on November 6, Salhouse on May 24 and October 11, Sutton on August 29, Hickling on May 24 and Lessingham on July 5, 2005.

Defence solicitor Kevin Batch described how the defendant did not want to threaten any of his victims but how the exposure was a release for him.

When originally questioned by police, O'Connor said: “It takes my mind off other things. I don't intend to scare them. It's about me not them.”

Mr Batch went on to say: “The locations were such that a person would not feel hemmed in. They were open spaces rather than alleyways and such like.

“He has no previous convictions he is in a stable relationship, and he is industrious.”

The court heard how O'Connor had on several occasions driven past his elderly victims, who ranged from 57 to 76-years-old, in his 4x4 and stopped slightly ahead of them in various country lanes.

He then opened his coat to reveal his trousers or shorts were pulled down which revealed his genitals.

He was instructed to return to Norwich magistrates court on May 15 for sentencing but warned he could be sent to prison.