A PENSIONER carried out a perverted attack on a young woman after being "affected" by a sex scene in the movie The Notebook.

David Calvert and his victim had watched the 2004 film - starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdam last January.

The 77-year-old, who later sexually assaulted her, avoided jail after Teesside Crown Court heard his age and health problems had left him with "weakened inhibitions".

Prosecutor Robin Turton said the attack happened at Calvert's home in Clarkson Court, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on January 9.

"On the night in question they had watched the film The Notebook which included a scene of a sexual nature which seemed to affect the defendant."

He later put his hand inside her lower clothing and she asked him "what the f*** are you doing?" He replied "nothing, sorry, don't tell."

Mr Turton said that although the attack was not of the most serious type of sexual assault, it had a "profound effect" on the victim.

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said Calvert, who admitted sexual assault at a previous hearing in December, was of previous good character.

He added: "He has never fallen foul of the police or been before the courts, this is something of an anomaly in his life.

"He is remorseful for what happened and he puts it down to a misunderstanding on his part."

Judge Tony Briggs imposed a 12-month jail sentence on Calvert, but suspended it for two years and ordered him to attend a sex offender programme.

He told him: "You are 77 years of age, of hitherto good character, but you have admitted a nasty and unpleasant offence that in the ordinary course of events would call for a sentence of immediate custody."

He said the victim had suffered a "damaging, upsetting and most unpleasant experience," but told Calvert: "You are suffering increasing illness and age and your inhibitions have been weakened."