A Dartford man who masturbated in front of women and children on a train has been detained in a psychiatric hospital.

Stefan Turansky, aged 38, of Mayfair Road appeared for sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on August 11, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of exposure and two counts of engaging in sexual activity.

He was sentenced to appear on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period of time and has been detained in a psychiatric hospital.

Turansky committed the indecent acts while sitting close to a 26-year-old woman and later a mother and her two children, onboard the 6.48pm London Charing Cross to Gillingham service on July 29 last year.

Detective Constable Andy Parkinson said: "Turansky boarded the train at Dartford station and sat close to a 26-year-old woman.

"A short time later she noticed he was exposing himself and acting inappropriately. She left the train shortly afterwards.

"When the service terminated at Gillingham, Turansky stayed on the platform and simply re-boarded the same train when it made the return journey back to London.

"He sat in the front carriage close to a woman and her two young children - aged three and 13.

"Again, after a short time, he exposed himself and committed an indecent act.

"The family moved away from him on three occasions but he followed them throughout the carriages, continuing to expose himself and act indecently. The family fled the train at Gravesend and called police."

British Transport Police immediately launched an investigation and specialist officers identified Turansky as the prime suspect when a Met detective recognised him when his image was distributed as part of a media appeal. He was arrested on September 5 and charged the next day.

Sexual offences on the train or Tube can be reported to BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. For incidents that take place away from the railway, call local police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.