A PUB manager became over “touchy-feely” with a teenage member of staff, a court heard.

Alan Grahame Willis initially appeared “pleasant” in approaches to the female culinary worker, but began popping into the kitchen of the Peterlee premises more frequently.

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court: “He would be ‘touchy-feely’, touching her in a way which caused her alarm or distress, and, at times, he would cuddle her, also causing her alarm or distress.”

As a result of her complaint, and information relating to another female staff member, police were alerted and Willis was arrested.

It resulted in him facing three charges of sexual assault with the other woman and a single count of attempted sexual assault, relating to the kitchen worker.

The 55-year-old previously denied all four counts and a trial was due to start today (Wednesday September 16).

But, Mr Bean said the complainant involved in the first three charges was not at court and did not appear to wish to be contacted.

It was decided not to proceed with the three counts relating to that woman and amend the fourth count.

Willis admitted the new, single charge of causing harassment, alarm or distress, involving the kitchen worker.

‘No evidence’ was offered on the four original charges, and Judge Tim Gittins formally recorded ‘not guilty’ verdicts.

Yvonne Taylor, mitigating, said Willis is of poor health, suffering epileptic diabetes.

Judge Gittins passed a conditional discharge, but made Willis subject of a three-year restraining order, prohibiting him from approaching or seeking to contact both women, who were the subjects of the original counts.