A MAN who performed a solo sex act in his car in Chester city centre did so on the same street as a "very popular" student night at Cruise nightclub.

Steven Louis Gabriel-Lee, 44, of Bank Cottages, Croughton, pleaded guilty to the charge of outraging public decency when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, September 20.

A detailed pre-sentence report was requested and Gabriel-Lee will learn his fate on October 14.

Prosecuting, Adam Warner told the court this was not the first time Gabriel-Lee had been in court for outraging public decency, as he had previously been sentenced to a lengthy community order in 2012 for two offences of upskirting in Cheshire Oaks.

This latest offence was spotted on Chester CCTV cameras in St John Street at 11.14pm on Monday, September 2, on a night which the court heard was very busy with 18- to 23-year-olds going to Cruise nightclub.

The CCTV monitoring officer could see Gabriel-Lee was parked in his Mercedes near the nightclub and was "clearly in the act", and was wearing a condom.

A large number of adults would have been able to see him in the act, the court heard.

Police arrived at 11.20pm and saw Gabriel-Lee in the driving seat. When they caught his attention, he "moved his hands very quickly and looked shocked".

Gabriel-Lee told police: "I have just been to the gym, I am waiting for a friend and going to give him some money."

Defending, Howard Jones said there had been a build-up of negative matters which led to this situation.

Gabriel-Lee had split up with his girlfriend in January, his father had passed away in March after contracting bowel cancer and the inquest into his death had not yet concluded.

He had had a very solo time on the road as part of his job, although that had changed to more office work more recently.

He had also been the victim of a fraud where he had lost money.

Mr Jones added: "This led to tensions and stresses which manifested itself in this way.

"He was not parked directly outside the nightclub, but outside a solicitors office."

Since the arrest, Gabriel-Lee had been upfront at work and had positive references.

He had seen his GP and had been referred for counselling, and had done things to ensure his behaviour would not be repeated.

Gabriel-Lee was bailed until October 14 on condition he does not enter Chester city centre between 7pm-7am.

A separate bail condition requested by police, that Gabriel-Lee should remain indoors between 7pm-7am, was dismissed as 'unworkable' by magistrates.