A SOUTH CERNEY man has appeared in court to plead guilty to outraging public decency.

Jason Birchall, 27, was seen masturbating in his car in Beverstone Road, South Cerney, on May 14 at around 10.20pm, Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard last Wednesday (1).

Jo Wallace, for the prosecution, said a woman saw Birchall in the car.

She said: “When she looked inside she saw Birchall, sat in the seat, naked from the waist down masturbating, with his seat in the reclined position.”

She explained that the woman alerted her husband who came out of the house to confront Birchall, of Broadway Lane. She added he had been given two police cautions earlier this year for committing similar offences.

Defence solicitor Kirsty Gordon-Cleaver explained that Birchall committed the act as he was under the influence of drugs at the time and has had a history of depression.

“He said it was down to his excessive drug use,” she said.

“Since the offence took place he has taken serious steps to curb his behaviour.”

She explained that he has been attending sessions at Turning Point and had attempted to turn his life around.

He had job in a warehouse and worked his way up to the position of manager but became depressed after being frustrated he could not get any higher.

“He became depressed and turned to drugs.”

Sentencing of Birchall was adjourned until July 23.