A MAN has been charged with targeting a woman stranger and carrying out a solo sex act in her presence on a Greenock street.

John Shovelin, 41, is said to have approached and followed the female.

Prosecutors say he then exposed himself to her and carried out a full sexual act.

Shovelin, of the Inverclyde Centre, is accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred at Kilblain Street, Nicolson Street, Inverkip Street and elsewhere on May 29.

Shovelin, currently locked up in prison on remand, has pleaded not guilty through lawyer Gerry Keenan and is due for trial on July 13.