A MASSEUR has admitted carrying out a sexual assault on another man.

David Jefferson was said to have committed the offence in what his barrister described to a court as a "moment of madness".

The 45-year-old, of Alpine Grove, Blackburn pleaded guilty at a Preston Crown Court hearing to a charge of sexual assault over an incident in February.

He had been due to face a trial next February.

The defendant was a man of previous good character.

His barrister, Keith Harrison, said the offence had been a “complete one-off” and his client had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Mr Harrison also told the court: “Plainly, the effect of this conviction is that he loses his good character and it also impacts on his profession he was engaged in at the time of this moment of madness.”

Counsel asked Judge Anthony Russell QC to consider dealing with the case yesterday, but to adjourn it for a pre-sentence report if there was any possibility of an immediate prison sentence being passed.

The judge said he had noticed in the court papers that the victim had seemed “very upset” about this. The judge enquired if a victim impact statement had been taken.

Mrs Hilary Banks, prosecuting, said that the Crown wanted an opportunity to obtain one.

The case was adjourned to January 17 for sentencing.

The judge said it would be for the court to decide whether the sentence needed to be immediate prison, or suspended.

That decision would be taken in the light of all the information it would receive.

He told Jefferson: “You must understand all sentencing options are open.

“I think it is necessary, before a decision is taken, to have a pre-sentence report and have you assessed independently.”

The defendant is remanded on bail with conditions set by the court not to contact the victim or practise as a masseur.