A FATHER-of two from Shalford will spend two and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of indecently exposing himself to girls and women.


Thomas Murphy, 41, of Church End, had denied the allegations but was convicted by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court.


The jury heard claims by witnesses that they saw Murphy perform a sex act in full view of them on more than one occasion.


Murphy was found guilty of six offences of engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child and two offences of exposure.


Three schoolgirls and two women had complained to police about Murphy exposing himself on occasions between July 2014 and June last year.


The fathers of two of the girls had confronted Murphy about what their daughters said they had seen which led to police officers arresting Murphy on July 2 last year.


He was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday, September 28.

He is also subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order forbidding him from contacting directly or indirectly any of the victims.