A man touching himself inappropriately at Morden Underground station has been sentenced to 21 months imprisonment after he was reported by tube customers.

British Transport Police have praised witnesses for reporting the incidents.

Justin McCarthy, 37, was seen exposing and touching himself at Brent Cross, Oxford Circus, Watford Junction, Morden, Clapham South and Waterloo underground stations between February 23 and March 25.

McCarthy would sit near a woman on the train and touch himself underneath his clothing while trying to gain their attention.

One witness noticed McCarthy on his commute home and took a photo on his phone to give to police.

Another said: “It was a Wednesday evening rush hour. I had been met by a friend after work at Highbury and Islington station where we got the Overground train to Dalston Kingsland. We were both chatting and were sat next to each other when my friend noticed that a man sitting opposite her had his hands down his pants and was touching himself.

“She pulled her phone out as she felt uncomfortable to tell me whilst the man was touching himself.

“I soon realised what she was trying to say and I looked up to see he was masturbating.

“I felt extremely angry and uncomfortable. Thankfully there were no children on the train at the time, but I thought that this man should not have been subjecting people to this and he should not be allowed to get away with it. I remember thinking that this man, if I didn’t report him, could go on to do more serious things.

“I took a photo of him on my phone and tweeted the Overground line who gave me the British Transport Police 61016 text number, which I thought was really useful as I didn’t feel comfortable reporting the crime on the telephone as the man was sat opposite me.”

Appearing at Highbury and Islington Magistrates’ Court on March 28, McCarthy pleaded guilty to six counts of outraging public decency and six of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

British Transport Police investigating officer PC George James said: “This result is a good example of our stance on those committing any form of unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network.

"Thankfully all the women reported McCarthy’s behaviour to police and he was eventually arrested and charged for the offences.”

Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Head of Transport Policing, said: “The actions of McCarthy were demeaning, unacceptable and intimidating.

“We do not tolerate unwanted sexual behaviour on London’s public transport and I commend all those who came forward to report what they saw. Every report matters and it helped police build a picture so they could catch McCarthy and sentence him for his offensive, disgusting crimes.

“I want everyone to know that London's public transport is safe and sexual offending has no place on our network. Offenders will be identified and will be brought to justice.”