A CARLISLE bar worker froze as she was sexually assaulted by a drunken customer.

CCTV captured the moment that 55-year-old Darren Green groped the woman inside the busy city centre premises in May last year.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court the incident occurred at around 11pm. The woman was helping a member of door staff as two men were ejected.

“When she started walking back towards the bar and got near a ramp, this defendant (Green) deliberately turned towards her,” said Mr Evans.

“She had moved to give him extra space because he was in a wheelchair.”

Green used his hand to “cup and grab” the woman over clothing between her legs. “I felt like I froze for ages, thinking ‘did that just happen?’,” the woman later stated.

She took hold of Green’s wheelchair to transport him out of the bar.

“There were difficulties because he was putting the brakes on and she had to get assistance from a door staff member,” said Mr Evans.

“When he came across to help, the defendant released the brakes but as he was being pushed out he fell out of his wheelchair.

“The woman immediately reported what had gone on to a police officer.

"She came back into the bar and had, unhappily, a panic attack.”

Green admitted sexual assault and, as he was sentenced, listened to a statement provided by the woman.

She had undergone counselling since an incident which had a significant impact on her life. “I’m still on edge at work in case I see the suspect again,” the woman said. “It is always in the back of my mind: what if he tried again?”

Green had since been banned from all Carlisle 'Pubwatch' premises.

Defence lawyer Anthony Parkinson revealed Green had suffered a serious accident almost a quarter of a century ago which resulted in leg amputation. An alcohol problem was exacerbated after Green’s brother passed away although he had since given up drinking, the court heard.

“He is unlikely to trouble the courts again,” said Mr Parkinson.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Barker observed that Green seemed “at a loss” to fully explain offending he had not yet addressed.

The judge imposed a two-year community order comprising rehabilitation work with the probation service. He was served with a restraining order which prohibits him contacting the woman and approaching her place of work.

Green, of Peel Street, Carlisle, must also sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.

Judge Barker said of the woman: “It is clear she felt completely violated by you that night.”