A man was caught with his pants down in his front garden when a shocked bystander called police.

David Betts denied he was performing a sex act outside his house at about 3pm on Tuesday, June 20.

Instead, he told police he had been sunbathing when his shorts fell down.

The 62-year-old, of Green Porch Close, Milton Regis, was seen in his garden by a woman working at the Swale Family Centre who raised the alarm with police.

The residential road is regularly used by people on their way to Milton Creek Country Park and Holy Trinity Church, both of which are at the end of the close.

And Swale Family Centre works with children and young families.

Betts admitted one count of indecent exposure during a hearing at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Mark Kateley said: "A woman who was working at the time at the Swale Family Centre was looking out of the window and could see Mr Betts standing in the front garden.

"He was completely naked and carrying a pair of blue shorts."

"He was completely naked and carrying a pair of blue shorts" - prosecutor Mark Kateley

Mr Kateley told the court the woman thought Betts may have been pleasuring himself.

Betts was apologetic and remorseful when he attended court before sentencing and said he believed nobody could see him at the time.

Mr Kateley added: "He told police his blue shorts fell down."

He added Betts said he wasn't pleasuring himself.

Betts apologised to magistrates for his behaviour and was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

It was also revealed he had been cautioned for an identical incident in 2014 and was further ordered to carry out a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days.

He must also pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.