Sex pest told to '˜keep his hands to himself'

Bashir Haji, 49, who already had convictions for sexual offences, has admitted a charge of sexual assault on the day his trial was due to start.

Judge Andrew Woolman, who ruled he would pose a risk of sexual harm if allowed in any leisure centres, told him off, saying he needed to “keep his hands to himself”.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Claire Larton described how Haji had groped the young man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, as he relaxed in the facility at Fulwood Leisure Centre in Preston on June 4 last year.He was later arrested.

Haji, of Newton Street, Deepdale, Preston, was ordered to notify his address details with the police for the next 10 years.

Judge Woolman accepted he had not targeted the man for more than a few seconds, but said his two previous convictions for sexual assaults aggravated the matter.

He imposed a 15 month prison term but suspended it for two years after his guilty plea to sexual assault.

He said: “This is not the first time you have been in trouble.

“I hardly need to spell out to you what will happen if you breach the terms of your sentence.

“You will definitely go straight to prison.

He added: “I don’t think any amount of culturing by the probation service is going to do any good.

“You either learn to control yourself and keep your hands to yourself, or you will go to prison for a very long time.

“I strongly suspect the influence of your family is far greater than the influence someone else is likely to have on you.”