A scientist who walked semi-naked through a car park for a "cheap thrill" told police he did it because only "old people with bad eyesight" would see him.

Stefan Morrocco stripped off his trousers and underwear before walking around outside a Mecca Bingo Hall in Dundee during the "bizarre" incident.

Two bingo players spotted the senior geomorphologist, who holds a PhD from St Andrews University, and reported him to staff.

They called officers who found the 35-year-old in his car with his trousers undone.

Fiscal depute Chris MacIntosh told Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday: "Two females were leaving the Mecca Bingo and were heading towards a vehicle and observed the accused moving towards a vehicle.

"They observed that he was not wearing clothing on the bottom of his person. The witnesses told colleagues inside what they had seen.

"A member of staff walked out and saw the accused standing beside his vehicle. He was wearing a T-shirt only and had bare legs.

"He got back in to the vehicle at that time. Police attended and found the accused in the vehicle and saw his trousers were undone to the verge of coming off. Police asked him what he was doing and he said 'cheap thrills'."

Mr MacIntosh told the court that Morrocco later told police that he thought there would be nobody around to see him apart from "old people with bad eyesight".

Morrocco, of Baldovan Terrace, Dundee, pled guilty to committing a breach of the peace on January 20 this year.

Gary McIlravey, defending, said: "This is a bizarre incident. He chose the location because there would be few people around. He was suffering from underlying anxiety and depresson at the time.

"He has sought assistance in relation to his problems and has sought counselling. The counsellors take the view that he didn't take sexual gratification from this and that it was a release of some sort. He holds a senior position as a geomorphologist."

Sheriff Derek O'Carroll admonished Morrocco and told him: "I also find your explanation for having chosen this place to commit the offence bizarre.

"I do not accept that there was a significant sexual element, it was more an incoherent cry for help."