A MAN who squeezed a stranger’s bottom in a Chester pub has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years.

Alexander James Richardson, 27, of Whitchurch Road, Great Boughton, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was sentenced to a 12-month community order.

He must also pay £100 compensation to the victim, who said she felt “upset and violated” by the incident which took place in the City Tavern pub on Frodsham Street in March.

Rob Youds, prosecuting at Chester Magistrates Court, said Richardson had approached a group women and began “trying it on” with one.

“He was saying ‘you’re amazing, where are you taking me tonight?’,” Mr Youds said.

After being politely told she was not interested, Richardson then moved on to another woman at the bar where he decided to buy a round of tequilas.

“The defendant was being very touchy-feely, trying to hold her hand, but she pushed his hand away, saying ‘you don’t have the right to touch me’,” Mr Youds told the court.

“The defendant then came to stand directly behind her and grabbed both buttocks with both hands and squeezed them for a couple of seconds. He then walked away.

“She turned around and said ‘you need to learn some respect. You’ve got no right to touch me.’ to which the defendant said ‘no harm done’.”

Police officers were called to the pub and Richardson was arrested and interviewed. He was shown CCTV footage of the incident and accepted his guilt.

Richardson has four previous convictions for eight offences, none of which were sex offences.

In his defence, the court heard the incident was a “one-off” and he had shown “true remorse”.

The 12-month community order will include a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of the same amount.