A man sexually assaulted his sister-in-law as they played board games during a New Year’s Eve party.

The 34-year-old grabbed her bottom when she refused his request for a kiss.

The man, from the Heckmondwike area, was extremely drunk and had no recollection of the incident.

He changed his plea to guilty to sexual assault on the day he had been due to stand trial.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that on December 31 the victim had been at a party at the home of her sister and her partner.

All of the parties were drinking and playing some board games when the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made a comment about wanting to take his sister-in-law to bed.

This upset his partner and at a later point in the evening she took their children up to bed.

The defendant and his sister-in-law were then alone, magistrates were told.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said: “He said: ‘Give us a kiss’ and she refused.

“He scooped his right hand underneath her legs as she was on the floor and grabbed her by the bottom.

Kirklees Magistrates' Court, Huddersfield
Kirklees Magistrates' Court, Huddersfield

“She pushed him off and said to get off and he again asked her for a kiss.”

The incident ended when the defendant’s partner came downstairs.

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Mr Bozman said: “She (the sister-in-law) was in shock and crying.

“He sent her a WhatsApp message and was very apologetic.

“He said he was p****d out of his head and did silly stuff when p****d.”

Simon Lindley, mitigating, said that the incident signalled a sad end to the party.

He told magistrates: “This gentleman became extremely intoxicated and has tried to give his sister-in-law in effect a kiss and tried to cuddle her.

“He has to accept he’s touched her bottom but doesn’t recollect that.

“He knows his behaviour was untoward and has expressed his regret and remorse.”

Magistrates gave him a conditional discharge for three years as an order already imposed by social services - including him cutting out alcohol - already addressed their concerns.

He must still pay £400 costs, £15 victim surcharge and £50 to the victim for distress caused to her.