A FLASHER who exposed himself to children in a March park while sitting in his mobility scooter has been ordered to keep away from youngsters for the next five years in a bid to stop him re-offending.

Under the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, John Harrington must not speak to young people under the age of 18, unless they are accompanied by an adult.

And 64-year-old Harrington, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, has got to stay away from areas where children congregate, including play parks, skate parks, youth clubs, schools, nurseries and swimming pools.

Fenland magistrates also put Harrington on the Sex offenders’ Register for five years, and ordered him to take part in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders programme, and be supervised by the probation service for 36 months.

Last month, Harrington appeared at Wisbech courthouse in a wheelchair, when he admitted two charges of exposure, and asked for one more offence to be taken into consideration.

This week magistrates read reports from the probation service and medical profession, and which said that Harrington’s treatment for Parkinson’s Disease could have caused disinhibited sexual behaviour, and increased libido.

The court heard how Harrington showed his genitals to a 17-year-old girl at a park in Robingoodfellows Lane at March on May 15. He asked to kick her football, and when he stood up, the waistband of his trousers was pulled down.

Five days later a 12-year-old girl saw Harrington in the same park. She opened a gate for him, and realised his trousers were slightly down and his genitals could be seen.

When arrested, Harrington, of Elliott Lodge, Elliott Road, March, admitted both offences and further admitted exposing himself to two young boys three months earlier.

“He asked for help, and said he had targeted vulnerable people,” said prosecutor Andrea Fawcett. “He said he intended the girls would see his genitals, as it gave him pleasure.”

Mitigating, solicitor John Clarke said Harrington suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. He said one medical report stated that some forms of dementia caused disinhibited sexual behaviour.