A man from South East Cornwall who stalked a local married woman and indecently exposed himself outside her home fears losing his five-year Royal Navy career, a court heard.
Prosecutor Piers Norsworthy told Plymouth Crown Court that Bradley Davidson, 27, would follow the woman and stand outside her house staring at her.
On February 3, he hid behind a tree 40 feet from her, held her gaze and committed an indecent act.
The woman rang family members then decided to collect her daughters from school, only to confront Davidson as she rounded a corner.
Kelly Scrivener, defending, said Davidson's marriage was in severe trouble.
She said any court order over 12 months would result in him losing the job he relied on for stability.
The Probation Service is suggesting Davidson completes the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme.
But Miss Scrivener said: "There is no need for him to attend a course with sex offenders who touch people. What he needs is counselling, and the Navy is supplying that."
She added: "He is funding his own defence and would like an independent risk assessment.
"There's a lot at stake for him."
Judge Paul Darlow adjourned the case to September 10, granting Davidson, of Trevorder Close, Torpoint, conditional bail.
The woman who was stalked and her family have moved away, the court was told.
