AN alcoholic who sexually assaulted a woman who tried to help him has been jailed.Noel Beirne grabbed the woman roughly between her legs, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

AN alcoholic who sexually assaulted a woman who tried to help him has been jailed.

Noel Beirne grabbed the woman roughly between her legs, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, said 55-year-old Beirne had been living in sheltered accommodation at the time of the attack due to physical and mental illness which was brought on by alcohol abuse.

He said Beirne had collapsed due to drinking and the woman had tried to help him.

She told police: “The next thing I knew is his arm came from nowhere and groped my private region between my legs very roughly.”

Beirne, of Cricket Hill Road, Felixstowe, pleaded guilty to sexual touching.

Roger Thomson, mitigating, said: “He is a long-term alcoholic with severe physical and mental problems due to that. He was shocked when he heard about his behaviour and was very sorry for what he did.”

Judge Peter De Mille jailed Beirne for nine months and told him to remain on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

He said: “I accept that you would probably not have committed this offence if you had not been under the affects of alcohol at the time. But that will be of no comfort to your victim who suffered a thoroughly unpleasant experience.”