A FACTORY worker who slipped into bed with a woman and groped her after a wedding reception at a top East Lancashire hotel has been spared jail.

David Charles George Rawson, 25, also beat up a man during a drink and drugs-fuelled bender at The Oaks in Reedley, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But Judge Beverley Lunt gave Rawson a suspended prison sentence after ruling that the sex attack was ‘wholly out of character’ and he didn't pose a danger to women.

Prosecutor Mark Lamberty said the victim had gone to bed around midnight but was awoken around 4.15am the next day by knocking on her hotel bedroom door.

She thought it was her female room-mate and let Rawson in. She returned to bed and Rawson followed her, slipping between the sheets.

He sexually assaulted the woman who then got out of bed and went to the reception to complain. The court heard that the defendant later became embroiled in an attack on a man who was staying at the same hotel.

David Bruce, defending, said his client was on anti-depressants, had taken cocaine, had been drinking and had very little recollection of the night in question.

But Rawson, who had now quit taking prescription medication and street drugs, was genuinely remorseful over his actions, the court was told.

Rawson, of South Bank Road, Bury, admitted sexual touching and two charges of assault.

He was given a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and 12-months probation supervision to assist him with his drug and alcohol problems.