A HAIRDRESSER from Droitwich who molested a young assistant in the salon where he was working has been called “a sex pest” by a judge at Worcester Crown Court.

Liam King, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault, had used his seniority in conduct which was “a throwback to the 1970s”, said Judge Richard Rundell.

King, aged 41, of Tagwell Road, Droitwich, was given a three-year community order with a condition he attends a community sex offender group work programme. He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work, pay £1,200 costs and register as a sex offender for five years.

Prosecutor Lee Egan said incidents had taken place in the stock room at the hairdressers. King was 39 and the girl was in her teens. He had grabbed her by the waist and run his hands all over her body.

Another time, he had asked to see her “white stripes” after she had been sun-bathing. And there were two other staff members present when he grabbed the girl and forced her head into his crotch.

Mr Egan said the girl had reported the incidents because she felt “dirty and vulnerable.” When seen by police, King maintained that he had a “flirty relationship” with the girl. He was given a warning by police in a community resolution.

Michael Aspinall, mitigating, submitted references from satisfied customers but agreed that the aggravating feature was the age difference. King had lost his job and was trying to set up on his own in private practice. He realised he must change his behaviour but his partner was standing by him.

Judge Rundell said King had behaved in a way which was no longer acceptable. King would have been considered “a sex pest” in years gone by and it was conduct which would not be condoned by right-thinking adults.

He said women and girls were entitled to go to work without being molested or being groped by a man like King. His attack on a junior employee had had a serious effect upon her. There were three different incidents and on the last occasion there were two witnesses.

His conduct crossed the custody threshold but Judge Rundell was not going to send King to prison because of a probation report that showed he was of low risk in re-offending.