A SERIAL flasher jailed for his latest offence has been freed after a judge allowed his appeal against a six-month prison sentence.

Thomas Harcombe, 52, of Ashford Close, Taunton, was spotted twice in a week by the same witness sitting on a bench with a magazine on his lap as he performed a sex act on himself, Harry Ahuja, prosecuting, told Taunton Crown Court.

On the second occasion, the witness spotted Harcombe sitting on a bench in Milverton churchyard with his trousers down.

The former told him: "You shouldn't be doing that. It's disgusting."

He called the police as Harcombe pulled his trousers up and apologised.

An officer who arrived shortly afterwards said Harcombe was still on the bench with his trousers around his ankles and the magazine on his lap as he continued to perform the sex act.

Harcombe told the officer: "I'm really sorry. Please don't arrest me. I'm going to go home."

Mr Ahuja said Harcombe had been convicted several times for flashing dating back to 1985.

Will Rose, defending, said his client has "a disordered way of thinking, particularly when it comes to matters of a sexual nature" and is suffering from exhibitionist sexual gratification.

He also has mental health issues, made worse by alcohol misuse, and is receiving medication for libido suppression.

Judge David Ticehurst, sitting with two magistrates, allowed the appeal and altered the original sentence to 26 weeks' prison suspended for two years.