Jamie Goerd, 20, dialled telephone numbers at random and made lewd and inappropriate comments when he heard the women answer the phone.

He then rang his victims ten to 15 times each day for more than a year, threatening to kill and rape them, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

And despite several women dialling 1471 to find out who was calling, it took police officers several months to track down Goerd, the court was told.

Goerd, of Bristol Street, New Hartley, admitted two charges of harassment when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of exposure, after admitting pulling down his shorts as he was walking past two pensioners in Seaton Delaval on February 2 last year.

Judge John Evans told him: "It's difficult to understand why you began to behave in this way.

"You could not complain if I sent you to custody.

"But if I did you would not receive the help that you need from the probation service.

"However if you appear before a court for this sort of offending again you will go straight to custody."

Goerd was given a three-year community order, a 90-day curfew and must attend a sex offender's programme.

Judge Evans also imposed an indefinite restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victims.

Chris Mitford, defending, said Goerd wanted assistance from the probation service to help him understand his offending problem.