Man who groped woman breached his Asbo

4:17pm Friday 4th July 2008

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A MAN breached his Asbo when he groped a womans breasts, a court heard.

Drunken Brian Gaffney, 38, of Brinkburn Road, Norton, Teesside, approached the woman asking for cash.

When she refused, he groped her breasts, telling her she was "pretty gorgeous".

Teesside Crown Court heard how the sex assault, on September 4, amounted to a breach of his Asbo, since it caused the woman harassment, alarm or distress.

Gaffney, who previously had his sentence deferred by Judge Guy Whitburn to see if his behaviour could improve, then breached the order again on October 24 by drinking in public.

He was spotted by a police officer on patrol in Stockton who saw him with a can of lager.

Gaffney was warned to put the drink down by the officer, but was later spotted on CCTV boozing from the can.

Robin Turton, for Gaffney, who admitted sexual assault and two Asbo breaches, referred to the progress he had made since sentence on him was deferred.

He said: "He has grasped the nettle and has considerable hope for the future."

The judge, Recorder Peter Johnson, handed Gaffney a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for two years.