A former swimming teacher who pled guilty to sexually assaulting three women in hot tubs at an alcohol-fuelled Christmas party has been spared a jail term.

Key points: Peterson forcefully grabbed three women between their legs in a hot tub

Peterson forcefully grabbed three women between their legs in a hot tub Judge Gavan Meredith said while it was an alcohol-infused environment, Peterson "overstepped in significant ways"

Judge Gavan Meredith said while it was an alcohol-infused environment, Peterson "overstepped in significant ways" Peterson was given a two-year community corrections order and 200 hours of unpaid community work

Jennifer Peterson, 31, had been partying with friends at Edinburgh Gardens in December 2016 before the group carried on drinking at a Brunswick home with communal hot tubs.

The court heard it was a "highly sexualised environment" with several people naked in the hot tubs, and partygoers playing spin-the-bottle and other games.

While in the spa, Peterson pushed herself on one of her victims, straddling and kissing her, before forcefully grabbing her between the legs.

She then proceeded to grope two other women in a similar fashion.

In sentencing, County Court Judge Gavan Meredith said when one of her victims rejected Peterson's advances, she berated and denigrated the woman.

Judge Meredith said while it was an alcohol-infused environment where boundaries were blurred, Peterson "over-stepped in significant ways".

The court heard one of her victims was also bitten on her neck and breast, and woke the next day to discover bite marks.

Offending against 'vulnerable' women

The next day Peterson sent text messages stating she had been drunk and "super hazy" and couldn't remember who she had "pashed".

The former swimming teacher, who gave up her job on being charged, pled guilty to three counts of sexual assault.

The court heard Peterson had been binge drinking since her early 20s and her abuse of alcohol was linked to social anxiety and feelings of rejection.

Judge Meredith said her offending was persistent and carried out on three "vulnerable" women, who were aged 34, 27 and 22.

Her first victim, known as Ms S, told the court she was held down as Peterson straddled her in the water and repeatedly grabbed at her genitals.

The court heard Ms S had initially returned a kiss so as "not to further provoke" her and to stop her biting, and was later consoled by Peterson when she broke down crying.

Peterson's second victim, Ms VF, said she was taken aback as Peterson's hands were "all over her" and she removed herself to a second hot tub.

Peterson followed her and proceeded to assault her.

Another victim, referred to as Ms M, told the court she had been left suffering from shock and trauma and felt taken advantage of.

The judge accepted Peterson's offending fell at the lower end of the scale, that she was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend.

Peterson was convicted of the three counts, given a two-year community corrections order and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work and undertake alcohol rehabilitation.

The judge noted had she not pled guilty she would have been sentenced to two years and three months' jail.