A WOMAN horse rider was stalked by Stuart Christopher Lambert as she rode through quiet country lanes between Bashall Eaves and Waddington.

Blackburn magistrates heard that over a distance of three miles the woman saw Lambert in his car seven times and on the last two he was indecently exposing himself.

Lambert, 24, of Higher Road, Longridge, pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and asked for one similar offence to be taken into consideration. He was put on probation for two years with a warning from district judge Jonathon Finestein that if he ever repeated the behaviour he would face immediate prison.

"This behaviour is very, very serious and there is no doubt the ladies in both cases were frightened, perhaps even terrified," said Mr Finestein. "There was persistence in your behaviour."

Lambert, a farm labourer, was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to each of the ladies and pay £75 costs.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said the offences had been committed on isolated country lanes and the rider in the main charge had become very concerned as to where she could go for assistance.

Ian Holland, defending, said the death of Lambert's brother in a canoeing accident had a profound effect on him and since then he had suffered from depression.

Mr Finestein said he thought there were personal issues in Lambert's life which could be dealt with by the skilled supervision of the probation service.