An Uber driver making a takeaway delivery sexually assaulted the female customer.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shahbaz Ahmed grabbed the young woman on her doorstep, kissed her on the lips and then laughed as she slammed the door.

The victim had a panic attack and said she felt physically sick after the assault.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said the victim had done nothing to encourage his “disgraceful” behaviour.

“Indeed, she was so upset by what you did she had a panic attack shortly after,” said District Judge Preston.

“It would have been perfectly obvious to you that she did not want any sexual contact.

“A woman should be able to have a takeaway delivered to her home without being sexually assaulted by the delivery driver.

“Your behaviour was predatory and the way you laughed at her was clearly meant to humiliate her,” she added.

Ahmed, 43, of Oriole Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months with 30 hours rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim and made subject to sex offender registration requirements for seven years.

District Judge Preston said Ahmed had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity but the custodial threshold had been passed.

“I am just about persuaded to suspend the prison sentence,” she added.

Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said the victim had ordered a takeaway through her Uber Eats app.

When Ahmed arrived he made a comment about the weather and then said she was “just so beautiful.”

“She felt uncomfortable about the way the conversation was going,” said Miss Regala.

“He stood in closer and hugged her before kissing her on the lips. She was shocked by what was happening and really scared.”

The victim told Ahmed to go and at that point he was laughing. He said if she gave him a kiss he would leave. She refused and slammed the door.

“She was having a full blown panic attack and felt sick,”, said Miss Regala.

“She told her dad who went out and confronted the defendant.

“He said sorry but was still laughing and the police were called.”

Gareth Price, defending, said he accepted there had been an abuse of trust.

“The public might expect that behaviour such as this is met with a custodial sentence,” said Mr Price. “I would invite you to suspend that sentence because he does represent a proper candidate for rehabilitation.”

He said Ahmed had responsibility for his wife and children and was the sole bread winner.