William Freeman arriving at Warwick Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to sexual assault

An ex-company director has to register as a sex offender for putting his arm around a female friend and kissing her on the shoulder.

William Freeman, 58, was talking to the woman about a swarm of wasps she had seen on the roof of a building when he made a pass at her.

The woman turned to look up at the nest when Freeman, a former director of Northampton Water Ski Club, put his arm around her, Warwick Crown Court heard.

Freeman, who has never even had a parking ticket, then kissed the startled woman on her shoulder, neck and back of her head.

She then pulled away from him, and he apologised for what he had done. The woman then reported the August 2016 incident to police and he was arrested.

Freeman, of Barford, Warwick, originally denied a charge of sexual assault, but changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano, said: 'I am glad you have accepted today your responsibility for this, rather than putting this lady through a trial.

'It is difficult to know what to say to someone like you.

'I don't know what was going through your mind, and I don't suppose you do either.

Mr Freeman appeared at Warwick Crown Court, where he was ordered to sign sex offenders register and given a 12 month conditional discharge

'This was an impulsive act. You have had a very serious lesson taught to you - you do not make advances towards women who don't want you to.

'I am not belittling what happened, but I do take into account that in the 18 months since this, there has been no trouble at all, and I am convinced there will be no trouble in the future.'

Prosecutor Bernard Linnemann said the woman called the police after speaking to her sister and her partner about what had happened.

When Freeman, who was of previous good character, was arrested and interviewed, he denied committing any offence.

Mr Linnemann added that the incident has caused the woman a great deal of hardship, and she is undertaking counselling and having to 'live a life of avoidance' when she is out because she is worried about coming across Freeman.

Ann Cotcher QC, defending, said: 'He is 58, and is in a close and loving relationship.

'It was an isolated incident in a character without blemish.

'It was an incident that lasted but a moment, and one he has regretted ever since.

'It is so unlikely anything like this will ever happen again. He is a very frightened man, a very nervous man. Just the waiting is punishment in itself.

'He has never even had a parking ticket before.'

Freeman was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to sign as a sex offender when he appeared at court on Wednesday.