A Peel man has been caught using a mobile phone under a changing cubicle at the Western Swimming Pool.

Stephen Matthew James Bell, formerly of Mourne View, Peel, but now of Tromode House, admitted provoking behaviour after a woman snatched his phone when she spotted it.

The 34-year-old will be sentenced on March 3 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that on the afternoon of November 1, a woman and her two-year-old daughter were in a changing cubicle in the parent and child changing room area at the pool.

The woman said she had removed her child’s swimsuit and was drying her hair with a towel which reached the floor.

She then noticed the bottom of the towel lift up and she quickly pulled her daughter away.

The woman said she saw a hand coming from the next cubicle holding a mobile phone with the screen facing up and a red light on, suggesting it was on record.

She grabbed the phone and then reported the matter.

Bell was identified as the owner of the phone from personal details held in it and he was later arrested.

He was interviewed but remained silent throughout.

The court heard he has no previous convictions.

In court, Bell’s advocate Ian Kermode entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client, which was accepted by the prosecution, in which Bell said he had depressed in the months prior to the incident and not thinking rationally.

He said he had decided to enter the changing area and had put his hand under the gap holding his phone, though he said he was not recording.

He accepted that he was sexually interested in the adult and said he had no interest in children.

Ms Carroon said that it was accepted the phone had not been recording as no video was found.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered that the probation report considers all options, including custody.

Bail continues.