Shumel Miah ‘belly-laughed’ after he sexually assaulted the girl while she was on the phone to her grandmother after they crossed paths in Darlington.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 24-year-old initially walked past his victim before turning around, running up to her and grabbing her bottom.

The pervert then grabbed hold of the teenager’s breast while they were on Salters Lane, Darlington, on July 3 this year.

In a victim impact statement, the teenager said the attack had left her feeling ‘on edge’ and had impacted on her work and private life.

She added: “I didn’t know what he was going to do. I don’t know whether the sexual assault would continue or he would try to rape me.”

Miah, of Thornton Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and possession of four indecent images of children in category A – the worst level – and five in category B.

Judge Timothy Stead passed an eight-month sentence suspended for two years and subjected Miah to a two-year community order to address his behaviour.

Miah was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for same period of time.