A TULLIBODY man has admitted repeatedly exposing himself to women in Stirling and Clackmannanshire over a period spanning 10 months.

John Barrett pleaded guilty to what a sheriff described as five "serious" sexual offences at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday, July 9.

The first offence took place on Cowane Street, Stirling, on May 12 last year when he exposed himself to a woman in the street.

On the same date, Barrett, 21, committed the same offence to a woman just around the corner on Upper Bridge Street.

In the wake of those incidents, police – then still hunting for the culprit – released a statement which said: "These events have caused distress to the victims who were uninjured, but understandably left shaken."

Two months later, on July 20, at Murray Place, Port Street and elsewhere in Stirling, Barrett struck again and made sexual comments towards a woman and put his hands down his trousers.

He was arrested shortly after this and appeared on petition at Stirling Sheriff Court, where he was granted bail.

This led to an eight-month hiatus before Barrett committed two further sexual offences – this time in Clackmannanshire.

The first took place on March 22 this year on Station Road in Cambus, when he made sexual comments and exposed his genitals to a woman.

And four days later, on March 26, he again made sexual comments and exposed his genitals to a woman while on a cycle path in Menstrie– his second offence while on bail.

Sheriff Christopher Shead said Barrett had admitted "serious charges" and that he would require background reports before passing sentence.

He then deferred sentencing until September, and allowed Barrett, of The Maltings, to remain at liberty on bail until then.

His name was added to the sex offenders' register in the meantime.

Barrett's solicitor reserved giving a plea in mitigation until the case calls for sentencing.

Victims of sexual offences can access information and support services by visiting tinyurl.com/tquj9vu