A MAN snuck into a women's bathroom and watched a little girl use the toilet while her mother stood outside the door.

Paul Norman also breached an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) when he entered the ladies only public toilet at Kidderminster's Forest Glades Leisure Centre on October 29.

Leslie Ashton, prosecuting, said the woman and her children, who we cannot name for legal reasons, had just got changed in the ladies changing area ready to go swimming when he incident occurred.

A statement by the woman read out by Ms Ashton said she was waiting for her young daughter outside the toilet cubicle in the women's bathroom at the leisure centre when she looked in the mirror to check her appearance. She saw a head pop up from the cubicle next door and thinking it was children "messing about" she called them out.

She was said to be shocked and left feeling violated that she could not protect her daughter from the 50-year-old's prying eyes as he left the bathroom saying "sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

The family immediately alerted staff and Norman was recognised from CCTV.

Norman, of Arley Lane, Shatterford, Bewdley, pleaded guilty to observing a person doing a private act and breaching an ABSO, which was made on June 10 this year banning him from entering female toilets where the public has access, when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, November 20.

Deputy District Judge Miller said the defendant had planned his moves well in advance and that his powers of punishment, which allow him to jail a defendant for up to 12 months, were not enough for this case.

"I am looking at this where there was significant planning for him [Norman] to gain access into the female changing area. To plan, to await, to pounce," he said.

He also recommended that the defendant should sign the Sex Offenders Register afresh.

The case was committed to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing on December 19 and Norman was granted bail on the conditions he lives and sleeps at his home address, co-operates with probation in he making of pre-sentence reports, and he does not access any public female toilets or the Forest Glades.