A MUM is eager to catch the "dirty pervert" who performed a sex act on himself while asking her directions beside her school minibus.

Sharon May, 43, had stopped for a cigarette in Trotters Field, Braintree, at around 7am, when a young man exposed his genitals to her while asking for directions to Lakes Road, in clear view of nearby houses.

Ms May, who was employed as a driver for special needs pupils at Edith Borthwick School in Springwood Drive, said she was thankful there were no children with her at the time.

She feared the man would grab her during the ordeal on November 2, but instead he walked away “like nothing had happened” towards Benfield Way.

Police have issued an e-fit of the suspect, which Ms May says is an almost exact likeness.

The mum-of-two, of Romney Close, Braintree, waived her right to anonymity to help catch the suspect.

She said: "I got out the vehicle to have a cigarette and I saw this young fellow walk by towards the field.

"He hovered for a little while and then came back up towards me and said: ‘Excuse me, do you know if you can get to Lakes Road through a pathway here?’

"I said I didn’t really know because I’m not from round there.

"Then he said: ‘Do you know if I can get out from this road?’ and I happened to see his arm moving.

"I said, eurgh, get away you dirty pervert, and he said: ‘Don’t you want me to do it?’

"I said no, I will call the police, and he put it back in his trousers and walked off like nothing had happened."

She added: "He was talking normally, he was quite nice-looking and it was totally unexpected to be honest.

"I just feel dirty even though I haven’t done anything wrong - I just felt horrible really."

Ms May, who has since left her driving job for health reasons, said she was "ready to put up a fight" with the man and is worried he might re-offend.

She said: "I’m very eager to get him caught.

"I’m sure he will go a step further next time because he may think he’s got away with it - it’s not nice."

Ms May is appealing for anyone with information to contact the police.

She said: "I would love it if they rang me and said they have arrested him so I can move on and put it behind me."

The suspect is described as a white man around 5ft 5in tall, with a medium build and short black wavy hair.

He was wearing a navy blue top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Contact Pc James Selwood at Braintree Police station on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.