Neil Freeman admits sex acts in Hove Goldstone Villas toilet

Neil Freeman was twice seen performing a sex act by an angry worker at Goldstone Villas, Hove.

The 48-year-old was “blatantly” exposing himself in the toilets, a court heard.

Freeman was confronted after being spotted pleasuring himself in the toilets for a second time.

The man who spotted him said: “I was shocked by what I saw. I had seen he was clearly masturbating and didn’t seem to care who was about.”

Brighton Magistrates' Court

Prosecutors said both incidents took place on September 16 last year.

The witness, who works nearby, said the first occasion was at 7am, with Freeman stood in a cubicle with the door open.

He confronted the 48-year-old defendant before leaving.

The witness said he saw the defendant again in the toilets at lunchtime.

“Get away from that f****** school,” the witness told Freeman as he fled.

He then grabbed him by the throat before police arrived.

Freeman appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court where admitted sexual activity in a public lavatory contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

Cathy Walker, defending, said her client has had serious mental health difficulties and could not remember the incident.

The toilets at Goldstone Villas, Hove

She said he is liable to forget his behaviour because of a “dissociative disorder”.

Freeman has already approached his doctor for help and support, and is classed as a vulnerable adult because of his mental health.

It was revealed his flatmate looks after his finances and benefits payments.

Ms Walker said: “Neil Freeman did not recall what he had done. He has expressed his anguish and disgust, he is horrified by the position he has found himself in.”

She said the witness was not “distressed” but rather “angry” at seeing Freeman’s behaviour.

Freeman, of Richardson Road, Hove, was given a conditional discharge and was told to pay £85 costs and a £22 surcharge by magistrate Jo King.