A MAN seen by neighbours sunbathing naked in a garden claimed to police that a vest covering his genitals had slipped, a court heard.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court heard how a young woman and her friend were enjoying the sunshine in their Halliwell garden on Good Friday when they noticed Matthew Walmsley in a neighbouring garden.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court how Walmsley, sitting in a chair in his friend's garden, was completely naked and performing a sex act on himself.

The gardens back onto a car park and only a chest high wall separates the gardens.

"I was disgusted that he was doing it where there were kids on the other side," said the woman.

The jury heard that Walmsley ignored her request for him to get dressed.

"He said it was his garden and he could do what he wants," said the woman.

The woman complained to 36-year-old Walmsley's friend and he put his clothes on, but when the householder left him alone again he removed his clothes once more and began shouting abuse at the young woman.

Violence erupted as Walmsley, who later claimed he had drunk one and a half bottles of wine, is said to have hurled a barbecue lid, other items and loose concrete from the top of the wall at the woman.

A jury was told that one piece of concrete hit her on the head, leaving a large lump.

Police were called and Walmsley, of Cope Bank West, Smithills was arrested.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said Walmsley initially denied having been naked but changed his story after being shown a photograph of him which the woman had taken from a bedroom window.

"He said that he hadn't intended for anyone to see him and that he was accidentally naked because his vest, which he had used to cover his genital area, had fallen off without him noticing," said Mr Dickinson.

Walmsley denies exposure, causing actual bodily harm and affray.

The trial continues.