Britto Lorence, 27, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court and admitted to indecent exposure on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Newcastle in June 2023.

Prosecutors said Lorence masturbated while seated beside an Australian woman and her young son, prompting the passenger to alert cabin crew after noticing movement under a pillow.

The woman, who later gave a victim impact statement, said she was "deeply distressed" and tried to calm her son, while Lorence initially denied the act before changing his story to claim he was asleep and awoke feeling uncomfortable.

Lorence, originally from Kerala and now residing in the UK for a master’s in biotechnology, previously worked as a development technologist at Zaara Biotech LLC.

District Judge Kate Meek adjourned the case for sentencing on 2 June, stating that any option, including immediate custodial terms or referral to Crown Court, remains open.