A MAN who was back behind bars within hours of his release from prison has been freed from jail again, in time for Christmas.

Kevin Ambler went drinking to celebrate his release from Durham Prison having served a sentence for a series of shoplifting offences, on September 2.

But, on leaving a city centre pub, he indecently touched a 12-year-old girl on North Road and a female customer queuing in nearby Starbuck’s coffee shop, on Framwelgate Bridge.

As he fled the coffee shop he also stole a bag of crisps, before causing a further disturbance outside, prior to being arrested.

Ambler, 42, of Brewer Terrace, Ryhope, Sunderland, has remained in custody since the incident, and last month admitted two counts of sexual assault and a further charge of theft at Durham Crown Court.

He was to have been sentenced at the court today (Monday December 9), but the hearing was told that he is to be assessed for a vacant place at a hostel in Bensham, Gateshead.

Julie Clemitson, for Ambler, said there are strict conditions at the hostel, with a night-time curfew, plus rules forbidding residents returning worse the wear for drink.

Recorder Euan Duff agreed to bail Ambler to live at the hostel, providing he abides by the in-house conditions, particularly over the coming festive period.

He told Ambler: “I’m going to give you the opportunity to be assessed for a place at the hostel.

“But, the condition is that you abide by all of the hostel’s rules.

“Understand this. If you make a mess of this, you know where you will be going.”

Ambler was bailed to the hostel to return for sentence on January 10.