A middle-aged man who committed a sex act on a train in front of a horrified woman passenger has escaped an immediate jail sentence.

Tony William Casson, 54, who blamed his actions on a “moment of madness" while travelling from Newcastle to Carlisle, said he was so ashamed he will never again go on a train.

At Carlisle's magistrates' court, he admitted outraging public decency. 

Casson, of Lonsdale Terrace, Crosby Villa, was given a 42 day prison sentence but District Judge Gerald Chalk agreed to suspend the sentence for a year after hearing mitigation.

Prosecutor Julie Hansel described how a woman witness travelling on the Carlisle-bound train on April 24 had sat in her seat reading, before dozing off.

The defendant was in the same carriage but not opposite her.

Later in the journey, the woman woke, and noticed that the defendant had moved to a seat directly opposite her on the other side of the train.

As she glanced in his direction, she was shocked to see a reflection in the window next to Casson that revealed him committing a sex act.

The woman immediately alerted the train guard and police were waiting for Casson when he got off the train in Carlisle, said Miss Hansel.

“He denied exposing himself,” said the prosecutor, saying the defendant claimed he had not realised anybody saw him.

“He accepted that anybody who had seen him doing what he was doing would be shocked.

“But he denied this was his intention.

“He said it was a moment of madness and that he had never done anything like this before. He was very remorseful and apologetic towards the victim.”

Keith Thomas, for Casson, said his client – a man of previous good character - wished to repeat his expression of contrition and remorse for what happened.

The barrister said: “He did apologise through the police to the lady when he was interviewed. He is absolutely ashamed of himself.

“He said in his interview that it was a moment of madness.

“It's right that you should know that he has already recognised what he has done and says he will never go on a train again. He used to frequently go to Newcastle on the train to have a day out.

“He's a single man, who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke and he'd go on trains for days out to treat himself."

District Judge Chalk told Casson that his behaviour had been grossly offensive, and it had caused significant distress.

As well as the suspended jail sentence, he ordered Casson to undergo 30 days of rehabilitation.

The defendant must also pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge