A MAN who indecently assaulted a young girl has been made the subject of a three-year community rehabilitation order and ordered to take part in the Kirklees sex offender programme.

Nigel Cox, 37, of Town Place, Huddersfield, was told by Judge Stephen Cullick that he would have to register with the police as a sex offender for the next five years because of his conviction.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Cox had indecently touched the girl in May.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, complained to her mother and when Cox was questioned he admitted it.

Barrister Anthony Granville-Fall said Cox had drunk about six pints of alcohol, but added: "He can't account for his behaviour.

"He is astonished that he behaved in this way."

Sentencing Cox, Judge Gullick said he had to balance the seriousness of the offence and Cox's personal circumstances.

It was a nasty offence for the girl, but Cox had never been in trouble before and his guilty plea enabled him to give a substantial reduction in the sentence.