A woman has told how she has twice seen the same man performing a sex act by a river in Canterbury.

Estelle Mey, 27, encountered the pervert as she walked beside the River Stour between Hambrook Marshes and Westgate Gardens at about 7.30pm yesterday.

She had been listening to music and was under the impression she was alone, when she became suddenly aware the man was walking about five metres behind her, "quietly touching himself".

"I felt observed, so removed my headphones and turned my head," she said. "I saw him behind me. I got surprised as I was very chilled out with my headphones so rushed away.

"But then I was so angry I turned around quickly and ran after him.

"He was at that point hiding behind a tree. When he saw me turning he reopened his trousers.

"I got even more angry - started to shout like a lunatic, running towards him trying to catch him, but he ran away quickly."

The man is believed to have been wearing dark blue trousers, white shoes, and a striped short-sleeved top. He is thought to be of a short build, with short dark hair and a "thin face".

Estelle says she encountered the same man on a previous occasion some months ago, when she saw him staring at her from the other side of the river while pleasuring himself.

Shocked and angry, she had shouted at him, causing him to flee.

Following yesterday's incident, she took to Facebook to warn other people about what had happened.

She was disgusted to learn a man fitting the same description has been spotted in the same area on other occasions, including at nearby Toddlers Cove - a popular children's playground.

"It makes me sick," she said.

One woman commented: "We saw this guy last year doing the exact same thing but in Toddlers Cove. "When we got in a taxi home we explained to the driver what we saw and his friend had seen him doing the same a week before this."

Another said: "I saw a man near the nature reserve walk that leads from Westgate Gardens doing exactly the same thing. It really freaked me out I ran away and now don't walk there alone anymore."

Meanwhile, another man reported seeing the same man "acting suspiciously" in the same spot at about 7pm yesterday.

Estelle added: "This is not acceptable and also, there are plenty of children in this park.

"Please, be careful and look around you when you are walking, particularly if you have your headphones on."

Police confirmed they are investigating a report of “indecent exposure”.

A spokesman said: "At present, no arrests have been made and enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing."

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