A 34-year-old man who exposed himself to two women as they were delivering the Courier newspaper has been fined £500.

Ross Samuels, of Oak Avenue, Pulrose, admitted two counts of provoking behaviour and was also ordered by magistrates to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that, on June 27, police received a report of Samuels exposing his penis in the front porch of his home.

A witness said she had been doing her paper round at 5.30pm in Pulrose when she walked up to Samuels’ door.

She said that he then appeared in the doorway wearing a dressing gown which was open, showing him naked underneath with an erect penis.

Samuels was holding a phone and when he saw the woman said ’sorry about that love’ but failed to cover himself up.

That same day, a woman who was sitting on a grass bank facing Oak Avenue reported that she saw a dog coming out of Samuels’ house with him then following and stepping onto his path.

His gown was again open with his genitals exposed. She said that he looked at her until she left.

Another witness said that while doing her paper round in September or October, she had put the Courier into Samuels’ porch only to see him standing inside with his gown open exposing his penis again. No charge was laid in relation to his incident.

He shouted to her: ’I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.’

When interviewed by police he said that he often stood on his porch to ’have a smoke’.

He said that he did not recall the incidents and felt embarrassed by the thought of it.

Samuels told police he wouldn’t usually wear anything under his dressing gown but would usually tie it up.

Defence advocate Paul Glover said: ’We are dealing with two offences. The prosecutor referred to another offence but there is no charge coming from that incident.

’It is an unusual set of circumstances. There is no allegation of sexual motivation.

’They were low-level offences. There were no threats or it would appear any fear caused.’

Regarding the first incident Mr Glover said that his client had been ’caught out’.

On the second occasion the advocate said that Samuels’ dog had got out of the property so he had little option but to pursue him.

’I would submit it is towards the lower end of provoking behaviour,’ said the advocate.

The court heard that Samuels has no previous convictions.

Magistrates chair Julian Ashcroft said: ’This must have been quite an upsetting incident for the witnesses concerned. It’s up to you to dress appropriately when you’re by the front door.’

Samuels was also ordered to pay the fine and costs at a rate of £100 per month.