A Royal Mail employee appeared before magistrates today accused of masturbating in public.

Gary Matthews, of St Mark's Close, in Parson's Green, pleaded guilty outraging public decency, at South Western Magistrates' Court this morning.

The court heard at 8.30am on July 1, Mr Matthews had been sitting in his car, parked on Dorothy Road, in Battersea, when he began masturbating while gazing at female passers-by as they walked past his vehicle.

However, when any men walked past he used his Royal Mail shirt to cover his genitals.

Mr Matthews then ejaculated into a tissue before discarding it out the window on to the street.

District Judge Studdard said: "This is worrying behaviour Mr Matthews, especially considering you a previous caution for a similar matter six years ago."

The court had earlier heard Mr Matthews was remorseful and the previous caution was for inappropriate behaviour and not for any offence similar to that being dealt with today.

The 25-year-old was asked to return to court in three weeks, on August 1, while a probation report is complied.