A HAIRDRESSER who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy at the salon where they were both working has been jailed for two and a half years.

Worcester Crown Court was told that David Lilburn was making good progress in custody and was now working as a prison barber.

Lilburn, aged 24, of Nunnery Avenue, Droitwich, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and also indecently assaulting an 18-year-old in a bar.

Peter Grice, prosecuting, said Lilburn and the boy were alone at the end of business in December last year. The boy resisted advances made by Lilburn but was pushed to the floor and sexually assaulted.

The boy made no immediate complaint but the offence came to light a month later when Lilburn grabbed a teenager's penis through his clothing as they drank in a bar.

Sabhia Pathan, defending, said Lilburn had a lifestyle fuelled by a cocktail of drink and drugs. He accepted his actions had put him in a precarious position but he had support from his family and friends.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC accepted that Lilburn had not used force on the boy but there had been a degree of coercion. The law was designed to protect youngsters.

Lilburn had a disordered approach to life controlled by the use of drugs and alcohol. He needed a drug-free life.

The judge ordered Lilburn to sign the sex offender register and imposed a sexual offences prevention order. This restricts contact with any male under the age of 16.