Brisbane, Feb. 19 : A former high-profile police and emergency services spokesman who received official honors for his work has admitted to masturbating in front of two male backpackers.

Kevin John Loomes, 58, pleaded guilty before a Brisbane Magistrates Court today to two counts of performing an indecent act.

Loomes entered a backpacker''s hostel on Ann Street in Brisbane''s CBD last December, carrying a towel, the court was told.

The married man proceeded to a shower block on level one and began chatting to a 22-year-old backpacker before taking his towel off and masturbating in front of the traveller, police prosecutor Carrie Davidson said.

The backpacker quickly left the area and Loomes went to another shower block on a different floor where he started chatting to a second 22-year-old backpacker.

Standing in front of the traveller with one hand on his hip and the other on his penis,

Loomes asked: "Has this ever happened to you before?"

The two backpackers told the hostel''s managers, who held Loomes until police arrived, Davidson said.

Defence lawyer Neil Lawler told Magistrate Sheryl Cornack that Loomes had received counselling since the incident and was extremely embarrassed about the affair. (ANI)