A Southampton man who exposed himself on a seafront bench admitted to police that he has a sexual interest in children.

Kevin Heslin was wearing a blue skirt at Weston Shore when he was spotted by a 16-year-old girl who had been jogging, Southampton Crown Court heard.

The girl said she saw the 49-year-old sitting down with his genitals visible to passers-by and alerted a nearby woman and her two young girls.

The police were called and Heslin got up and began walking towards the Pitch and Putt before he was stopped and arrested.

Officers found a bottle of Johnson’s baby oil tied to his body with a piece of string which Heslin said was to help with chafing. They also found pink women’s underwear.

In a statement read out in court, the 16-year-old victim said: “I really don’t know why someone would expose themselves in a public place like that.

“I am left feeling distressed and violated by the man’s actions. My heart was racing and I felt scared.

“I honestly never thought I would witness anything so horrible whilst out for a run.”

Daily Echo: Weston Shore, SouthamptonWeston Shore, Southampton (Image: NQ)

When interviewed, Heslin told officers he is a heterosexual male but admitted that he has a sexual interest in children.

He claimed he didn’t intentionally expose himself and didn’t know that part of his body was visible.

Heslin, of Glen Road, Southampton, said he is a nudist and likes to wear skirts.

He answered no comment to all other questions following a discussion with his lawyer.

Heslin admitted exposure following the incident on August 10, 2023.

He has one previous conviction for exposing himself in 2011 when he was spotted in a wooded area wearing only a balaclava.

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His barrister Richard Onslow said Heslin has remorse and has engaged in a course of therapy to address his behaviour.

Mr Onslow said: “He fully understands that he must not dress in such a way that there is any risk of exposure.”

He argued that his client goes to nudist beaches and that any court order should not prohibit him from doing that legally.

But Judge Christopher Parker said Heslin had admitted to deliberately exposing himself by pleading guilty.

He added that “nudist or not” someone with “his history should not be allowed to expose himself at all".

Addressing Heslin, the judge said: “There have to be concerns about your exposed sexual interest in pre-pubescent girls.”

Heslin received a three-year community order with 120 hours of unpaid work, 30 sessions on an accredited programme and five rehabilitation days.

He was made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order prohibiting him from having unsupervised contact with children under 16 and from exposing himself in any public place.

He is also subject to notification requirements for the same period.