A DRUNKEN man who groped a policewoman's bottom has escaped being put on the Sex Offender Register.

Burnley magistrates heard how married Shahid Latif, 34, would have been eligible for notification if he was given a community order for 12 months or longer.

A district judge gave him a six-month order and warned him he was heading for "big trouble" if he repeated his actions.

The defendant, of Victoria Street, Nelson, admitted touching a female of 13 years or over. He received 60 hours unpaid work and must pay £100 compensation and £50 costs.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court police were called to a house in Nelson at 7.10am. They heard noises coming from inside, but it was supposed to be empty. They entered and shouted they were the police.

Latif was upstairs asleep, was at first abusive and asked the officer to go up for sex. The officer went into the room and as she bent over, the defendant grabbed her bottom under her coat. The victim was "shocked, upset and angry".

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Latif had been distressed by the case and he wanted to apologise formally to the court.

The solicitor added: "These are the actions of a drunken idiot, rather than somebody seeking sexual gratification."