A MAN convicted of sexual assault after inappropriately touching a teenage girl has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.

Jamie Griffiths, 19, of Blackhill Lane, touched a 17-year-old girl on two separate occasions in October and November last year.

First, he touched the victim on her arm after she walked past him. Weeks later, he touched her on her hip and smirked at her.

After Investigating officers arrested him, they recovered deleted texts in which he told a family member he was 'just so lonely'.

Griffiths was found guilt after a one-day trial and today, Wednesday, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and handed an £80 fine on top of an £85 victim surcharge and £250 in compensation.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and ordered to pay £650 costs.

Griffiths was arrested in connection with the incidents on November 13, 2018.

A subsequent examination of his mobile phone revealed a number of deleted text messages that he had sent to a family member.

Within the messages, which were sent on the morning of November 8 – just hours after investigating officers had made house-to-house enquiries in the street where he lived – Jamie talked about the incidents.

He wrote: “It wasn’t just one incident but I’m done now. Please I have uni to think about. I was just so lonely.”

A message sent to Griffiths from the family member read: “So you grabbed her butt and then ran immediately?”

PC Lawrence Price said: “Incidents of this nature are rare in the Knutsford area and Griffiths’ actions understandably caused a large amount of concern in the local community.

“He also caused the victim unnecessary stress and trauma.

“She was left feeling extremely anxious as a result of what he did to her and she was unable to leave her home alone, at a time when she was due to sit her mock exams.

“I hope that this conviction will provide reassurance to the victim, and local residents, and also acts as a warning to other people who feel that it is acceptable to act in this manner.”

During the trial Griffiths was also found guilty of causing criminal damage in relation to an incident at Knutsford Academy.