A FATHER-OF-SIX who groped a teenage boy in Whalley bus station has walked free from court.

Syed Uddin, 48, had grabbed the 14-year-old victim over his clothing.

The boy immediately walked off and called the police.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the victim said he was not so concerned for himself, but feared the defendant might strike again.

Police had earlier thanked Lancashire Telegraph readers after a vital eye witness to the incident came forward following an appeal in the newspaper.

The defendant, said to suffer diabetes, depression and back pain, is on £200-a-week disability allowances and has been on benefits for 14 years.

He has a child the same age as the victim and is also a grandfather-of-seven, the hearing was told.

The defendant, of Hope Street, Accrington, had earlier been convicted of sexual assault, after a three day trial.

He denied the allegation and claimed the attack never happened.

He was given four months in jail, suspended for a year and was put on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

He must live at his home address for two months.

Judge Simon Newell told the defendant he was "singularly unimpressed" with his attitude towards the case.

He had been told Uddin stated to a probation officer he could not see the point in co-operating with supervision.

The defendant, who could have been facing jail, claimed he planned to fly to Bangladesh days after the sentence hearing.

The judge told the court: "He doesn't appear to be taking it all that seriously.

"He appears to be running to his own agenda instead of the court's agenda."

Judge Newell said the victim was a mature, confident, well-balanced and intelligent young man and it appeared he had suffered no psychological effects.

He said: "It could have had graver effects if the victim had been more sensitive or vulnerable."

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said at about 6pm, in September 2009, the defendant talked to the teenager, asked him where he was going and offered him a crisp.

The victim was looking at the bus timetable, when Uddin stroked the boy's crotch.

Uddin was arrested a short time later on a bus going to Blackburn.

Katie Jones, for Uddin, said he still denied the offence he was convicted of.

He had suffered from various illnesses for some time.