Guy Knight, of Esplanade, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency, after witnesses who had spotted him taking images on trains informed the police.

At a hearing at Brighton Crown Court last week prosecutor Sally Selby made an application for an ASBO but this was rejected by Judge Hubert Dunn, who instead ordered the 34-year-old to pay a £500 fine.

The offences took place during May and October last year and, out of 199 snaps found, there were 58 images focusing on women's breasts, legs and bottoms which were taken by Knight on his mobile phone. Knight took some of the shots up women's skirts.

Knight, who was sacked from his job as a marketing manager once the allegations came to light, was arrested after police were alerted by concerned commuters.

His mobile phone and laptop were then seized.

The court heard that the youngest age of the women traced was 17 and that most of the shots were of females around college age.

On one occasion he was seen photographing a girl from the waist down as she crossed and uncrossed her legs and on another occasion followed a woman as she purchased a ticket from a machine.

Ms Selby said, "Nine or 10 of the women were traced by police. When police described to the women what had happened they felt violated, shocked and disgusted."

The court heard how Knight disguised his actions by having headphones on his phone and making it look like he was listening to music or sending a text.

Julian Dale, defending, said his currently unemployed client was a highly qualified man and added, "He is deeply ashamed of what he has done.

"As a result of this he has lost his job, his fiancee has broken off their relationship and he has attempted suicide on three occasions.

"Up to a year ago things were going well, he had a long-term partner, they were planning to get married and he had good employment prospects — but that has unravelled alarmingly.

"The only account he can give is the taking of these photos was some sort of release from stress."

Ordering Knight to also pay £500 costs and a £15 surcharge, Judge Dunn told him the conviction was a 'very unattractive' one to have on his record.

Detective Constable Bob Cager, of the British Transport Police, thanked everyone who helped in the investigation but added, "I am extremely disappointed.

"We thought he would have received a heavier sentence."