A MAN admitted sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman in an early evening attack in Swindon.

Barry Norris will wait to be sentenced for the assault, which took place on September 2 outside the New World restaurant, in Victoria Road.

The 38-year-old, of Percy Jefferies Court, pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault during an appearance at Swindon Magistrates Court yesterday, but the case was adjourned after the court heard he suffers from mental health issues.

Norris was arrested on Tuesday and subjected to seven hours of questioning before admitting the brief assault.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, told the court: “It is 7.30pm during daylight hours on September 2. The complainant has left her home and has started walking along Commercial Road.

“As she walks across the road, a male has approached her from behind and said ‘hello’.”

She said the man then grabbed her shoulder and sexually assaulted her.

“She says she then goes straight into the takeaway next to her and phones the police,” Mrs Lambert said.

“The witness within the takeaway, who saw the incident, says that he saw a female and a male walking a short distance behind her. He saw the female turn around. The male then reaches forward with a cupped hand and grabbed the female’s backside directly between the cheeks. The male then started to walk away and broke into a run.

Ms Lambert added: “Police have said there is an issue in relation to mental health with Mr Norris. They have spoken to the mental health team in Swindon. He appears before you today as a man of good character.”

Richard Williams, defending, said the assault had been meant as a prank that went wrong.

“The incident itself was over clothes and it was relatively short in duration,” he said.

“He stopped as soon as the young lady turned around.

“He has lived for a considerable period of time in Swindon and has always been susceptible to depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Earlier this year his mother died and that has hit him hard.

“His explanation is he did not appreciate how serious the impact was upon the complainant, which he fully acknowledges now. In his mind it was a foolish prank.

“He was interviewed by police for seven hours yesterday. He initially denied the offence but he later broke down and made full admissions.”

Chairman of the bench, Mr S Crichton, released Norris under strict conditions of bail including not entering the town a curfew from 7pm until 7am every day and electronic monitoring.

Norris must return to court at 9.45am on October 6.