A French MEP has pleaded guilty after he was caught masturbating in a Do It Yourself (DIY) store. Police rushed to the shop after Robert Rochefort was seen committing the lewd act in front of two teenage girls in August. He was beaten up by an angry customer, who wanted to administer justice himself.

The 61-year-old, who reportedly pulled down his trousers to commit the crime, told police that he 'needs to masturbate' whenever he is 'under stress', Le Monde reports.

Rochefort committed the sex act in the Castorama store in Velizy, a town to the southwest of Paris.

He later claimed he only made the claim to avoid a night in a police cell, and had felt threatened after being tackled by a man who reportedly punched and kicked him after spotting him in the awkward position.

After his guilty plea, the politician wrote on Twitter that there would be 'no further action'.

Court officials have not revealed the punishment given to Rochefort, but it is likely to be a fine.

Rochefort, who represents the south west region in the European Parliament, was replaced as the vice president of the liberal MoDem party due to the scandal.