A drunken 25-year-old Felixstowe man who slapped a woman’s bottom at the end of a pre-Christmas night out has pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

Kieron Sowter, of Exeter Road, must now give the woman £100 in compensation as part of the £625 in fines and costs Ipswich magistrates ordered him to pay.

The court heard Sowter – who also made inappropriate comments to the victim – was extremely remorseful after he sobered up and was told what he had done.

Prosecutor Henny Tatam said the offence occurred on December 17 after the woman had been to Unit 17 nightspot in Cardinal Park, Ipswich, to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

When she left the club she stopped to help another woman who was drunk and being ill.

As she was standing over the female Sowter slapped her bottom quite forcefully and called her “a sexy piece of meat”, the court heard.

The victim followed Sowter and confronted him.

Miss Tatam said Sowter told the woman: “If you dress like that you deserve to be touched.”

Magistrates were told the woman was disgusted by Sowter’s unprovoked behaviour.

When Sowter was interviewed by police he told an officer he had been out in Felixstowe and consumed three to four pints of beer before going to Ipswich.

While in Unit 17 he consumed a further five vodka and Red Bulls, but could not remember anything else.

After Sowter was told what he had done he admitted it was the sort of silly thing he would do when he had been drinking and admitted it was inappropriate.

He also asked police to pass his apologies on to the woman involved.

Shelley Drew, mitigating said: “In Mr Sowter’s own words he is indeed disgusted and embarrassed by his behaviour.”

Mrs Drew added the dock worker said he knew how stupid he could be when he consumes alcohol and that is why he does not drink very often.

Magistrates heard Sowter had gone out on a pre-Christmas party and has now ended up with a sex assault conviction

Mrs Drew said: “This is something he’s going to have to live with for the rest of his life. Other than emphasising his shame and embarrassment I’m not sure what more I can add.”