Mechanic groped woman in Portsmouth shop after offering her cash for photos

Gurdinder Singh, 34, admitted sexual assault after approaching the woman in the narrow aisle of a Portsmouth shop this summer.

Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard the woman alerted her partner who came and got her from the shop after Singh struck.

In a victim statement she said: '˜At the time I was shaken at what happened, I couldn't believe he touched me in the middle of the day in a shop as if he was alright to do that.

'˜What else would he do?

'˜I feel silly, I feel violated that he touched me.'

CCTV footage played in court shows how Singh approached the woman, spoke to her and then groped her.

Prosecutor Giles Fletcher said: '˜It's aggravated by being a female on her own, in a place she should feel safe in the middle of the day.

'˜It's violated her personal space in a very public space.

'˜Even though the incident was fairly brief that doesn't take away from the seriousness of it.'

Sentencing, chairman of the magistrates' bench David Farr imposed an 18-month community order with 25 days of rehabilitation activities.

Addressing Singh, Mr Farr said: '˜Offences of sexual assault are serious enough for us to make a community order.

'˜It was not quite at the point where we could have sent you to prison but any other thing like this and for sure you will go to prison.'

He added: '˜Sexual offences are unpleasant.'

Singh, of Lyndhurst Road, Copnor, must pay £85 prosecution costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He must register any change of address with police, notify them if he travels abroad, and inform police of any other names he uses.