Peter Lancaster, who has a history of groping girls, avoided being barred, despite being involved in an incident with a woman at Manchester Airport.

Lancaster, from Warrington, Cheshire, has been made the subject a five-year sex offender's order by magistrates and banned from approaching anyone under 16 or exposing himself and his underwear in public.

The 33-year-old has also been banned from loitering outside schools and shops, or entering private houses without consent.

Prison threat

The application to ban Lancaster from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport was made by Cheshire Constabulary and other agencies after the airport incident in February 2000.

However, on Friday that part of the ban was dropped because the defendant insisted he was a "genuine plane enthusiast", and the airports did not want to pursue the case.

Solicitor Andrew Thomas, who applied for the order, said: "It has become apparent from the discussions we have had that Mr Lancaster is a bona fide plane-spotter.

"He has explained that very often he will go to Manchester Airport up to three times a week to spot planes.

"The authorities at Manchester Airport have not chosen to ban him from the airport, which is something they could have done."

Lancaster agreed to the order and told the court he understood he could be imprisoned for up to five years if he breaks it.