A WOMAN who was sexually assaulted in the street has told of the life-changing effect the incident had on her.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim had started having panic attacks and had been prescribed anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.

She had changed her appearance by dieing her hair and said that “for a while I wouldn’t let my husband come near me.”

in her victim personal statement she said she couldn’t leave the house on her own and ‘cowered’ when she sensed someone walking behind her.

“I see the world differently now,” she said.

“This has changed who I am. I am not the bubbly, happy person I used to be. This will affect me and my family for the rest of our lives, it isn’t fair.”

John Andrew Middleton, 36, whose address can’t be given because of an order made by the magistrates at the request of his solicitor, initially pleaded not guilty to indecent assault but changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial when the victim and a witness attended court.

He was made subject to a community order for three years with 45 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 180 hours’ unpaid work. He was made subject to the Sex Offender Register for five years and a restraining order, which prohibits him having any contact with the aggrieved or entering her street, for three years. He was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Middleton had a conviction for a similar offence in 2017.

The latest offence was committed on July 10 but two weeks earlier the victim had come into contact with Middleton.

He had approached her in the street while she was with her children and licked his lips in what she described as a “very sexy manner.”

“She was shocked, told him he was dirty and walked off,” said Mr Robinson.

Two weeks later she was on Stanley Street in Colne when she saw him.

“As they passed he moved towards her, cornering her against a wall,” said Mr Robinson.

“They were face to face and he squeezed her bum twice before walking off. She told him he was disgusting and he kept saying he hadn’t done anything. She was left shocked and shaking.”

Neil Howard, defending, who applied for an order to withhold the defendant’s address on the grounds he might be subject to revenge action, said his client was not there to be sentenced for anything that happened two weeks earlier.

He said the defendant deserved some credit for pleading guilty on the day of trial which avoided the victim having to give evidence and be cross-examined.

“In the pre-sentence report which you have read there is no attempt by him to water down his culpability,” said Mr Howard.

“He is sorry for the impact on the victim and describes his own behaviour as disgusting and stupid.

“He is aware this will have a long-lasting impact on her and he has asked me to apologise to the victim who is in court today,” said Mr Howard.