A RUNCORN man has been found guilty of performing a sex act on himself in the cubicle of a ladies pub toilet with the door open.

Luke Roberts, aged 32, of Weymouth Close, Murdishaw, was seen by a woman when she entered the toilets in the White Hart pub in Warrington.

She described him as sat on a toilet, with trousers and pants pulled down, touching himself sexually.

Pub staff were alerted and Roberts was thrown out at 9.30pm on December 6 last year.

He was convicted of indecent exposure at Halton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

One woman was described as ‘white and shaking’ after seeing Roberts.

He claimed to be drunk and ‘light headed’ after smoking a cigarette, and went into the toilet to be sick.

The court heard he was a regular visitor to the pub and knew the male toilets are upstairs.

The ladies’ toilets are on the ground floor.

Defending himself, Roberts said: “I don’t usually smoke but I went outside for a cigarette.

“I remember making my way to the toilet.

“I remember trying to compose myself. I had my pants down.

“I was sat on the toilet and my parts would have been visible.”

However, when cross-examined by Ali Sarwar, prosecuting, Roberts could not explain why he had removed his trousers and underwear, if he was going to be sick.

He added: “I was in a stupidly drunken state but I have not gone into toilets to expose myself to anybody deliberately.

“I’m ashamed I’m here now.”

No vomit was found in the toilet, the court heard.

He was found guilty by magistrates of indecent exposure, and not guilty on a second allegation of threatening behaviour.

The hearing was adjourned for reports. Roberts will be sentenced on March 26.