A SCRAP metal collector who exposed himself after asking to see a woman’s snakes has avoided a jail term.

Jeromia Connors, a 19-year-old traveller, was given a two-year supervision order after admitting exposure and theft.

Bolton Crown Court heard Connors, of Acorn Park, Ewood, Blackburn, and a friend called at the home of the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on April last year asking for scrap metal. The woman gave them scrap metal.

Connor called again on May 18, 2012, asking for scrap metal. The woman came to the door with a snake around her neck and Connor started talking about the woman’s pets.

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, said Connors asked if he could look at her snakes and reptiles and the pair went into the living room where some lizards were kept.

The court heard yesterday that Connors asked to use the toilet once he was asked to leave. He left the toilet door open and exposed himself to his victim and ‘became suggestive’.

The woman told him he was disgusting but he went into the kitchen and took two mobile phones and a camera, which were broken. He then left the home.

Police linked Connors to the case after matching his fingerprint to one found on a dog’s biscuit tin – he opened the tin when the woman’s dog started to growl at him.

Simon Killeen, defending, said Connors was ashamed of the offence, which would have been intimidating for his victim.

Judge Peter Davies, sentencing, said: “You were invited in to talk about a hobby she is interested in. You abused her hospitality in the most disgraceful way. Having been to the toilet you decided to abuse her by exposing yourself to her and making suggestive remarks.

“It indicates the sort of disregard you had for that lady who had been kind to you a month before and you showed utter contempt by exposing yourself.”

He was ordered to notify police of any changes to his address for the next five years.