An Indian-origin biotechnology engineer has admitted committing an act insulting public decency after allegedly exposing himself during an Emirates flight from Dubai to the UK, according to the Daily Mail.Brito Lawrence, 27, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates Court over the incident, which happened on a long-haul flight from Dubai to Newcastle in June last year.According to prosecutors, Lawrence was sitting next to a woman and her young son when the incident occurred shortly after takeoff.Prosecutor Brian Payne told the court the woman initially became concerned when she noticed movement under the pillow placed on Lawrence’s lap and feared he might be hiding a weapon.The court heard that she later realized that Lawrence was exposing herself and alerted the cabin crew, who detained her during the flight.In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the woman described herself as “deeply distressed” by the incident.“I tried to keep my emotions in check to prevent my son from becoming more worried,” he said.The woman, who is from Australia, was initially expected to give evidence via a video link before Lawrence pleaded guilty.Payne told the court that Lawrence had denied intentionally exposing himself during the police interview but later admitted that he was masturbating.Defense lawyer Andy O’Hanlon said that Lawrence was sleeping during the flight and woke up feeling uncomfortable before removing his private parts from his underwear.Originally from Kerala, Lawrence later moved to the UK to pursue a master’s degree in biotechnology and food science.Court documents say he previously worked as a development technologist with Zara Biotech LLC.District Judge Kate Meek adjourned the sentencing case until June 2 and said all sentencing options would remain open, including an immediate prison sentence or referral to the Crown Court.