A MAN caught defecating in a children's play area said that it had happened because of a change in his diet, a court heard.

Neil Cutter, 33, of Marske, east Cleveland, admitted a charge of outraging public decency after he was caught in the act last December.

Guisborough magistrates heard yesterday that human faeces had been found every morning, between 5.30am and 6am, in a children's area on Marske playing field.

Lorraine Cooper, prosecuting, told the court: "Because of this going on for so long, it was decided to keep observations within the area.

"At 6am on December 7, the defendant was seen to enter the children's playing park, located within the recreation ground, and observed to defecate on the field within the area."

Cutter admitted committing the act three times in two weeks, from November 23 to December 7, but denied being responsible for the other occasions.

Scott Taylor, in mitigation, said: "My client used to be a gamekeeper and this type of behaviour was not quite as upsetting for him as the rest of us would find it. He accepts, however, that it is not acceptable.

"It wasn't simply that he was caught short - it was that he had changed his diet."

Mr Taylor said that Cutter had taken new vitamin tablets after feeling lethargic, which had caused "chaos" to his digestive system.

"He got switched back to another diet and normality has been restored," said Mr Taylor.

Cutter was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Chairman of the bench Jim Hamilton said: "It was intentional.

"You did it three times within a children's play area. As far as harm is concerned you endangered the health and safety of children in that area."