Exposed himself to teenage girls and performed sex act in view of them.

Daniel Molan, 51, was given a suspended sentence after admitting to exposing himself to teenage girls and masturbating in their presence.

Molan, who was pictured outside Bolton Crown Court, faced up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two counts of outraging public decency.

However, he was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for a year. His lawyer, Paul Treble, argued that Molan had been "open and honest" with probation and had expressed deep regret for his actions.

The court heard that Molan targeted his first victim, a 14-year-old girl, at a bus stop in Leigh in February 2022. He exposed himself to her and then masturbated in full view of her on two separate occasions.

Molan also targeted two other 14-year-old girls on a bus, staring at their legs and masturbating in front of them. One of the girls reported the incident to her mother, who advised her to contact the police.

The court heard that Molan had no previous convictions and was described as a good worker by his employer. However, Judge Mr Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said that Molan's actions were "serious" and that he needed "significant assistance" to address his behavior.

Molan was ordered to complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also placed on a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to sign the Sex Offender Register.

This case comes amid concerns that indecent exposure offences are not being taken seriously enough. Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley has called for a change to the law on flashing, arguing that a football fan who streaks on a pitch should not be treated the same way as a sexual predator.

Data from the Ministry of Justice shows that the number of people convicted of indecent exposure has fallen significantly in recent years.

Solicitor Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women's Justice, said that police are not taking indecent exposure offences seriously enough and that this type of offending can be an indicator of more serious sexual offenses.