A PENSIONER repeatedly exposed his genitals to neighbours by doing his gardening in a short kilt and wearing no underwear, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Seventy-three-year-old Leslie Mackenzie was reported to police by neighbours after a series of incidents at his home in Chirnside.

One told officers she was "shocked" at what she saw, while another said she stopped her children going into their garden when the pensioner was outside.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard Mackenzie is also banned from a number of establishments in the area because of his behaviour.

Drew Long, prosecuting, said: "It appears people are at the end of their tether with him."

He added: "When police spoke to neighbours they said it had been happening on a semi-regular basis and they believed he was doing this to show off."

The court heard police had given the retired mill worker advice about his behaviour when a complaint was made by a neighbour in May.

But 10 days later he offended again and another neighbour reported him.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client, who lives with his wife and has failing eyesight, claimed he thought the officers advice was in relation to how he conducted himself in public – on buses and in cafés – adding he did not realise it applied to his own garden.

But he added: "He accepts there was a degree of recklessness to his behaviour."

Mackenzie, who appeared in court wearing a kilt, admitted a charge of public indecency by repeatedly exposing his genitals at his home in Lammerview, Chirnside, between May 4 and June 1.

Sentence has been deferred until November 6 for background reports, and sheriff Kevin McCarron said he would reserve a decision until that time over whether to place him on the sex offenders register.

He said Mackenzie had displayed "concerning behaviour" which persisted over a period of time – despite warnings.

Sheriff McCarron said: "The court needs to know a lot more about Mr Mackenzie before coming to a final decision."