DUBLIN, Ohio -- A man accused of exposing himself to children was convicted Tuesday on three charges, but his lawyer says his client actually was just scratching because of a case of jock itch, reports say.

John Michael Hammel, 52, pleaded guilty in Franklin County Common Pleas Court and was found guilty of two counts of public indecency in what appears to be a sex act and one count of public indecency-exposure, according to 10tv.com.

Hammel was arrested in August after he was accused of exposing himself to juvenile females at Half Price Books, COSI and Petland in Columbus, WCMH Channel 4 reports.

Court records say Hammel was seen fondling himself under his clothing and also exposed his genitals. His actions reportedly were seen on surveillance videos.

Hammel's lawyer, Will Nesbitt, tells 10tv it's a case of misunderstanding, even though the videos appear to show Hammel committing a sex act. Nesbitt says he has notes from doctors outlining Hammel's condition.

"Unfortunately in Ohio it's illegal to itch yourself in public if it appears as though it could be a sex act," lawyer Will Nesbitt says. "And unfortunately in Mr. Hammel's case, he developed a severe case of basically jock itch."

A father of one of the victims, a 5-year-old girl, was incensed by the excuse, according to 10tv.com.

"He's scum. And he doesn't need to be in the vicinity of children, period," the father says.

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