A BALLINGRY man went up to house window and exposed his penis to a young woman in Cowdenbeath.

The crime was committed by 51-year-old Robert Hodge, of Martin Crescent, who appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He admitted that on December 22 at Broomfield Road, Cowdenbeath, he exposed his genitals to a woman, repeatedly licked his hands, placed his hands in his trousers and then exposed his penis.

However, despite committing a sexual offence, Hodge avoided being put on the sex offenders register.

The court heard the incident took place at a residential house which overlooks a large park and is secluded.

A woman became aware of Hodge watching her through the window and her female friend closed the curtains.

Shortly afterwards one of the women saw Hodge pacing up and down in front of the building.

He repeatedly licked his hands before placing them down the front of his trousers. He walked towards the window and one of the females quickly secured the doors, fearful that he may gain entry.

One of the females began filming him and captured his actions which included exposing his erect penis.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client was first offender and his actions were “wildly out of character”.

She went on, “His recollection is not very good because of the alcohol and substances he had consumed.

“He’s embarrassed to be in court for a crime of this nature.”

Sheriff Krista Johnston described the incident as “bizarre” and said it “must have had a significant impact on those subjected to it”.

She imposed a community payback order with 120 hours of unpaid work and a year’s supervision.

The sheriff could not put Hodge on the sex offenders register because the Crown pursued the prosecution under the Sex Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Under that procedure an offender can only be put on the register if he is given a jail sentence or the victim is a child.