A COUPLE were left shocked as an Edinburgh man exposed himself at a known dogging site in Aberdour.

Colin Pratt drove up to the couple's car and parked a metre away before getting out of his vehicle and pulling his trousers down and flashing at them at 3pm in the afternoon.

It soon became clear to the 50-year-old that the man and women were not pleased with his actions.

He then proceeded to pull his trousers back up and drive away, with the couple following behind.

Pratt, of Calder Court, Sighthill, Edinburgh, admitted that on November 13 at Goat Quarry, Aberdour, he exposed his genitals to a man and woman with the intention that they would see them, conducted himself in a disorderly manner and committed a breach of the peace.

Depute fiscal Craig Donald told Dunfermline Sheriff Court: "The complainers were shocked by his behaviour and gestured towards him as if to enquire what he was doing."

It was at this time that he pulled his trousers up and got back into his vehicle before leaving the location.

Mr Donald continued: "The complainers followed after the accused and made contact with him after he parked his vehicle."

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff explained to the court that the location Pratt attended was a "known dogging site in the area".

Pratt was challenged by the couple as to why he acted that way and he said: "I know. It was offensive."

It was at this stage that police were contacted and Mr Donald stated the officers who questioned Pratt noted that he was "mortified by his actions" and that he felt "extremely guilty".

Mr Moncrieff further stated: "It was a desire for some excitement in his life. It has caused difficulties in his marriage but his wife is standing by him."

He told the court that his client was "very, very remorseful" for his actions and that it had been a "genuine error".

Mr Moncrieff admitted that there was a sexual element to the offence but asked for his client not to be placed on the sex offenders' register.

Sheriff Chris Shead said: "This had the potential to cause a more serious reaction if the people involved had not been as rational. It had the potential to result in a serious public disturbance.”

Pratt was not put on the sex offenders' register but was fined £500 for his actions.