A woman has had to leave her home after a perverted workman who was installing a TV for her slapped her on the bottom.

The significant impact of the sexual assault on the 19-year-old was read out in court as she wept in the public gallery. Jeffrey Lewsam, 54, of Willingham Street, Grimsby admitted sexually assaulting the woman.

Prosecuting at Grimsby Crown Court, Craig Lowe told how the self-employed man was asked to install a TV in her home. Mr Lowe said: "At 2pm they were in the room and the defendant slapped her bottom. He leaned over her and tried to kiss her."

The prosecutor said Lewsam then made sexually explicit comments to her. Mr Lowe said Lewsam told the woman "This goes no further than us."

When she became distressed he left the address. Mr Lowe said Humberside Police were contacted and Lewsam was arrested the following day. In the police interview, he denied the allegations. Mr Lowe read the victim impact statements made by the woman who told how she has had to move out because of her fear of being stalked.

"The whole incident has made me feel sick. I don't feel comfortable in my own home. I am scared he will stalk me. I feel there is a brick wall around me. I suffer with anxiety and this has made it worse and I'm having to take sleeping tablets," the woman wrote in her statement.

Mr Lowe said Lewsam has 11 convictions for 16 offences, which include offences of dishonesty and violence.

For Lewsam, Tim Savage said there had been no offending by his client for over 10 years previously. He said it had been a "short-lived incident."

Judge Tahir Khan KC said: "It was a short-lived incident at a time when you had not been in trouble for a large number of years. That being said, it is clear to me your behaviour towards her was wholly unwarranted. From the victim impact statements, it is clear your behaviour had significant impact on her. I am bound to take that into account."

He imposed a four-month prison sentence suspended for six months. The judge imposed a Restraining Order for the defendant not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly and not to attend her address. The order will last five years. Lewsam will have to notify police of his address and have notification restrictions on him for the next six years.