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A five-foot transvestite who put a fur-lined coat around a woman's shoulders so he could fondle her through the material has been warned he faces jail if he continues to pester women in public.

Paul Reed, 57, was previously ordered not to approach strange women while dressed as an old lady and ordered not to cover his face in public.

He targeted his latest victim while she was out shopping with her friends in Covent Garden on July 28 this year.

Thinking he was a pickpocket, police officers observed him walking up to her a number of times before finally unfurling the black coat, draping it over her shoulders and stroking her arms through it.

When she turned around he pretended to backtrack, saying: "Sorry, wrong person."

But he lashed out when the watching officers swooped, calling her a 'liar' and threatening to 'take her to court', prosecutor Sarah Morris said.

"He said he liked the texture of the coat, he liked people watching, but he did not follow them," she added.

"He was in the habit of holding the coat out and folding it up again."

Reed admitted common assault with intent to commit a sexual assault on what was supposed to be the first day of trial earlier this month.

He had also faced charges of sexual assault and common assault but they were ordered to lie on his file.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard how the cross-dresser was in breach of two suspended sentences at the time of his latest crime and has 27 previous convictions.

(Image: PA)

Many of those were for sexual offences, the court heard.

Reed, who typically used a hat and scarf to pose as an elderly woman, was told back in 2012 he can carry on cross-dressing on the condition he keep his hands to himself.

Tim Brown, defending said: "Periods in custody and the registration requirements of the sexual offences act have made absolutely no difference.

"The question is whether or not we break the cycle."

He told the court probation officers had recommended Reed participate in the Horizon programme for sex convicts who are assessed as being of medium and above risk of reoffending which will enable him to undergo sessions with a forensic psychologist.

"He has expressed a desire to have help, and to be helped," Mr Brown added.

"Now is the time for that to be done. He has never had any intervention in the past."

Sentencing Reed, Judge Jane Sullivan imposed a two-year community order comprising 34 sessions on the programme with 50 days' rehabilitation activity requirement which will supervise it.

"You have longstanding psychological problems as set out in reports prepared as far back as 2012," she said.

"These problems are continuing to drive your offending."

Reed, of Chatham, Kent, was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order prohibiting him from approaching, touching or making any attempts to communicate with females unknown to him in public.

He is also banned from covering his face with any clothing and travelling on the Tube, DLR or any Overground trains without a registered Oyster or contactless payment card.

"You know all too well that should you breach that order that in itself is an offence punishable by up to five years' imprisonment," Judge Sullivan told him.

"So you know to abide by that order."

She also imposed a four-month prison term after activating the two suspended sentences but Reed has served that as a result of his time in custody for the current offence.