Flasher caught at kids' park had 34 prior convictions

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who indecently exposed himself in front of a group of children at a reserve has 34 previous convictions for similar offending.

Barry William Pauley, 51, appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to performing an indecent act in a public place.

He was released from prison in December last year after being jailed for similar offending.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of fraudulently using a document.

According to the police summary of facts, Pauley cycled to the Wrigley Rd where he exposed himself and performed an indecent act.

Some of the children asked him why he was acting the way he was and Pauley told them most people did what he was doing.

Pauley continued to talk to the children because he was "lonely and was enjoying their company", the summary said.

He told police he had become stressed with ongoing issues in his life relating to debt and other problems. He said he accepted he needed medical help and that previous prison sentences had never helped him address his behaviour.

The court had heard that Pauley had 34 previous convictions for doing an indecent act in a public place.

All of his offending was done during daylight hours.

The court was also told Pauley was previously handed a jail term for this offending and was released from prison in December.

Judge Graham Hubble remanded Pauley in custody for sentencing on May 14.