Don't get stuck in a rut! Have the top stories straight to your inbox for free - once a day, every day Yes please! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A 65-year-old man was caught performing a sex act on himself outside a discount store in Coalville.

Rodney Hughes had been for breakfast at Morrisons and afterwards bought a pornographic magazine.

He went back to his car, which was parked outside B&M Home Stores, close to the supermarket in Whitwick Road, and pleasured himself.

At Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday Hughes, of of Rotherwood Drive, Ashby, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and was given a 12-month community order, with 25 rehabilitation activity days.

What did the prosecution say?

Sukhy Singh, prosecuting, told the court: “On October 5 last year at about 10 minutes to midday a witness says she had parked her vehicle at B&M in Whitwick Road and was aware there was a male parked in a silver car to her left.

“She didn’t pay any attention to him until she got out of her car, when she saw the male was not wearing any trousers.

“He had a cloth over his lap and his hands were moving underneath.

“She was shocked and was concerned a child could have seen what was happening.”

Mr Singh said the woman went into the store to alert the staff.

A manager and another member of staff then went outside to confront Hughes.

'His genitals were exposed'

Mr Singh said: “The store manager went outside and knocked on the car window.

“The manager saw his trousers were round his ankles, a pornographic magazine was on his lap and his genitals were exposed.

“The defendant said he was sorry and it wouldn’t happen again and he then drove off.”

Hughes’ car details had been noted down and he was later arrested and admitted the offence.

Mr Singh said: “He said he was mortified by what he had done and had no psychological sexual problems.

"He got no gratification from being in the car park.”

Why Hughes did it

The court received a report from probation that Hughes had been “at a loose end” since retiring from his job as a precious metals scientist.

David Swingler, representing Hughes, told the court his client, a grandfather, had been happily married for 39 years and had no previous convictions.

He said: “I’ve very little to add.

“He had gone for breakfast. His feelings and emotions took over and the rest is as outlined.

“He’s at a loss to explain why he couldn’t just go home.”

As well as the community order, Hughes was ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.