A PERVERT pensioner who exposed himself while he sat in a cafe reading a newspaper has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Marcus Alexander Tyrrell, 72, of Garden Lane, walked round the Chester cafe in front of three young waitresses before asking if one was a lesbian. He later came back and assaulted the 18-year-old girl, pushing her and shouting so loudly she felt his spit on her face.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to a 20-week prison sentence, which will be suspended for two years.

Tyrell will also complete a two-year supervision order with the Probation Service and must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

Chester magistrates also ordered him to pay £400 compensation to the 18-year-old and £500 court costs.

Tyrrell denied the charges but last month magistrates found the biologist with a degree in forestry guilty of intentionally exposing his genitals on January 28, as well as assault and using abusive or insulting words.

Magistrates heard Tyrrell entered the city centre cafe and ordered coffee and toast before moving to one side so the girls could get a better view of his genitalia. He then sat and read the News of the World.

One of the girls told the court: 'We were all shaken up - I really wanted to get out of there.'

Another said: 'His underwear was tucked underneath his private parts so they were all hanging out. I felt a bit vulnerable.'

As the father of three daughters moved to leave, he told one of the girls: 'You need to get a fella - you're up-tight.'

Crying, she told the court: 'I said: 'I'm not interested.'

'He said: 'Ah, you're one of those - you're a lesbian.' I felt very upset.'

After being confronted by the wait-ress's father, Tyrrell left the shop but returned later, pushing the cafe worker and shouting at her.

Defending himself, Tyrrell denied his underpants were down or that he shouted and pushed the girl. He said he was incontinent, forcing him to wear trousers with a loose clasp and zip.

Giving mitigation at Tyrrell's sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Robin Boag said: 'One of the biggest penalties for him isn't getting the conviction but the publicity surrounding the case. There have been consequences that will cause an impact on him.'