A JUDGE has lived up to his pledge to suspend a former drunken nuisance’s prison sentence, if he fulfilled a number of demands.

Thomas Skelsey was warned he faced a potential prison sentence for offences of sexual assault and criminal damage, arising from an incident in Stanley town centre, in October 2015.

Durham Crown Court heard he was heavily intoxicated when he stripped naked and made suggestive comments to two young women.

On being asked to stop, he laughed and performed a sex act, then grabbed one of the women and tried to pull her towards him.

She broke free and told him he was disgusting, but Skelsey turned his attention to the other woman.

He was only deterred after having cleaning liquid squirted in his face, causing him to lash out at walls, causing criminal damage.

Both women were left shaken, but unhurt.

Skelsey conceded he was extremely drunk, having earlier played drinking games, but was “mortified” at his actions, which he claimed were out of character.

The 48-year-old, of Bronte Place, South Stanley, admitted both offences.

Deferring sentence, Judge Christopher Prince told Skelsey providing he stayed out of trouble and responded to assistance from an alcohol agency, he would suspend the prison term.

On his return for sentence, the court heard the now 49-year-old defendant has fulfilled those requests.

Judge Prince, therefore, imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and made Skelsey subject to 25 probation-supervised rehabilitation days.

He must also pay £535 costs.