A DRUNK man sexually assaulted a paramedic who was trying to help him, a court heard.

Stefan Hincu grabbed the breast of the ambulance worker when she came to his aid late at night in Barrow.

The 52-year-old admitted sexual assault the day he was due to stand trial at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

The defendant's actions were blasted by magistrates, who called his behaviour 'unacceptable'.

The court heard the victim had been left 'upset' and nervous doing her job following the incident.

It happened on Greengate Street last year, prosecutor Lee Dacre told the court.

He said: "The ambulance was called to reports of a drunk male.

"The victim was working with another college. They saw a male sat on the pavement.

"The male was very drunk and they tried to help him.

"The police were called to try and help the ambulance workers."

Mr Dacre said while awaiting the police the victim stood at the back of the ambulance.

She saw Hincu reached out to her and thought he was trying to shake her hand.

Mr Dacre said Hincu then brought his hand back and 'cupped' it. She stepped back but Hincu's hand brushed across her breast.

"Her colleague saw that and told him to keep his hands to himself," the prosecutor added.

Mr Dacre said the victim was upset and cried after the incident.

She said she did not want to get too close to patients after the assault.

The court heard car wash worker Hincu, of Barrow's Harrison Street, had no previous convictions.

Representing the defendant, Louise Gordon said Hincu wanted to apologise to the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

"He accepts he had been drinking," she said.

"He says what he did was done in a moment of madness.

"The defendant will say this is something he's never done before and will never do again,

"He finds it difficult to explain his actions.

"He describes his behaviour as out of character and says he's ashamed to be brought before the court for such matters."

Magistrates gave Hincu credit for pleading guilty and sentenced him to 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the victim.

Chair of the bench Charles Crewdson said: "[The paramedic] has the right to come to work and not feel threatened by any one.

"Your behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

"If you can't control yourself with alcohol, do not drink.

"This appears to be out of character but if you are here again in front of this court there is no leniency."

He was told to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £200 in court costs.