A MAN who sexually assaulted a young woman while telling her 'it is not like I am going to rape you' will not go to prison.

Robert Dewhurst, of Newfield Court in Lymm, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault.

The court heard that the 70-year-old put his hands up the woman's top around her back, before cupping her breasts, leaving her in 'total shock'.

Derek Jones, prosecuting, said : "When the woman tried to pull away he said 'It is not like I am going to rape you'.

"He then moved his hand below her waistband.

"He tried to take hold of her face to kiss her and when she asked why, he replied 'because I want to'."

Richard Orme, defending, said: "Mr Dewhurst told me 'there isn't a day that goes by when I do not regret what I did'.

"It was seconds of madness in a moment of arousal.

"He is of previous good character and apologised immediately for what he had done."

The court heard how the victim has been left 'anxious and unable to sleep' and that she becomes 'nervous around older men'.

In a victim personal statement she wrote: "It has had an enormous impact on my life. I totally shut off and struggle to concentrate at work.

"I hardly sleep at all and jump whenever people touch me innocently."

Judge Simon Berkson, said: "You are 70 years old and committed a cruel crime by taking advantage of this young lady.

"You inflicted this sexual assault upon her and persisted with what you were doing.

"You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

He was handed an eight month sentence suspended for 18 months.

READ > Teen who threatened to cut up woman with combat knife is jailed

Judge Berkson imposed a 10-year restraining order and Dewhurst is required to sign the sex offender's register for ten years.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £300 in court costs and attend a 35 day rehabilitation activity.