Sean Lander was sentenced for masturbating in front of a Melrose Park cafe worker

A man who masturbated in front of a cafe worker has given a bizarre excuse for his lewd behaviour – and the tube of “lubricant” in his pocket.

A man who falsely believed there was promiscuity going on in a cafe pulled a tube of “lubricant” out of his pocket and masturbated in front of a worker.

Sean Alan Lander, 41, misread cues and decided it was appropriate to commit the vile act in front of the “disturbed” woman.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday heard the victim was working at a Melrose Park cafe when Lander walked in and approached her.

“The male remained at the cafe and appeared to put his left hand down his pants several times,” the police prosecutor said.

Lander then took a tube of lubricant from his pocket and squeezed some onto his hand.

“He then put his hand back into his pants and appeared to be stroking his penis,” the police prosecutor said.

Lander continued to engage the victim in conversation while continuing to masturbate and at one stage exposed himself.

“She was obviously very upset and disturbed by this behaviour,” the police prosecutor said.

Lander was arrested but denied masturbating in the cafe.

“He said he carried with him anti inflammatory cream that he was using for rashes,” the police prosecutor said.

“He states that he never uses the cream on his penis or genital area.”

Sean Lander was sentenced for committing a grossly indecent act. Picture: Facebook

Lander, of Daw Park, had previously pleaded guilty to committing a grossly indecent act.

Nick Vadasz, for Lander, told the court he had misunderstood cues on the day of his offending.

“He in his own mind thought there was some promiscuity going on in that particular cafe and he was excited about that,” he said.

“He entered into that cafe … he placed his hand down his trousers and massaged his excitement.”

Mr Vadasz told the court Lander suffers from mental health issues.

“He turned to cannabis and amphetamines and for a number of years was a regular cannabis smoker,” he said.

Magistrate Justin Wickens said Lander’s behaviour was unacceptable but understood he was disinhibited in the throes of his mental illness.

“This was a very upsetting and disturbing thing for her (the victim) to see in her workplace, it’s not something someone should be subjected to in their workplace,” he said.

Mr Wickens sentenced Lander to a 12-month good behaviour for $100.

A conviction was recorded.