A serial flasher with a 24-year history of exposing himself was labelled a "menace to community" today as he was jailed for two years.

John Bustin was setenced for performing a sex act in front of a young woman in an alleyway off Osney Lane, Oxford. The 42-year-old, of Speedwell Street, had his case postponed after fleeing Oxford Crown Court before his case was to be heard last week.

He was caught by police less than 24 hours later in Paradise Square, Oxford, and today admitted failing to surrender to the court.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said Bustin's victim had to brush past him in the alleyway last July because he refused to move out of the way.

She said: "When she reached the end of the alleyway she glanced back and saw Mr Bustin had pulled his trousers down."

The court heard Bustin, who was convicted after a trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court last month, had 22 previous convictions - all but one for sexual offences. His offences date back to 1984 and include convictions for flashing in 2006 and 2007.

He was handed an antisocial behaviour order in December 2006 banning him from exposing himself but has now breached it three times.

James Reilly, defending, said Bustin wanted help to stop flashing.

He said: "He is someone who has been sexually abused as a young child."

Sentencing Bustin to 18 months for exposure and a further six months for breaching his Asbo, Recorder Antonio Bueno said: "You have been dealt with leniently on a number of occasions but to no avail. You are a menace to the community."