A TAXI driver who exposed himself to a female passenger has escaped jail.

David Brookes, aged 47, was given a 12-month driving ban, ordered to pay £1,399 costs and given two-and-a-half years' community service at Croydon Crown Court on March 10.

Brookes, from Kenley in Surrey, had denied indecently exposing himself to nurse Anna-Marie Blagrove but was found guilty of the offence by a jury.

During a journey from Croydon to Bromley, Brookes told Mrs Blagrove about his marital problems and said he called chatlines while pleasuring himself, the court heard.

And Mrs Blagrove was left "shaken and frightened" after Brookes exposed himself.

Judge Kenneth Macrae told Brookes he considered giving him a 10-month jail sentence but was willing to give him one last chance.

The judge said Brookes should be supervised by the Probation Service and also attend a sex offenders' programme.