A WOMAN who got out of the shower realised she was being watched by a man who was in her back garden.

Blackburn magistrates heard Alan Robinson claimed he was looking for his cat.

Robinson, 64, of Stanley Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to voyeurism and, on a separate occasion, indecently exposing himself. He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for two years with a 30 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was placed on the Sex Offender Register for seven years and ordered to pay £150 costs and £128 victim surcharge.

Waqas Yakub, prosecuting, said the victim of the exposure had been holding her baby in her arms when she realised Robinson had stopped half way up the stairs behind her. She moved to see what he was doing and realised his trousers and underwear were round his ankles and she could see his hands were doing something.

The victim of the voyeurism charge had left the bathroom window open while she was having a shower to allow the steam to escape. When she got out she noticed the defendant in her garden staring at the window.

"She also noticed he had his hands down the front of his joggers," said Mr Yakub. "She asked what he was doing and he said he was looking for his cat."

Neil Howard, defending, said the offences had cost Robinson his marriage of 17 years. His brother had cut off all contact with him and he had lost his role with a Northern Soul production company which he had been involved with for 27 years.

"He lost a good job in tax management as soon as his employer found out about the offence," said Mr Howard. "He has already suffered a great deal for what he has done and finds himself bereft of friends or family."