A HAMPSHIRE shopkeeper sexually assaulted a teenage girl’s within hours of groping another woman.

Michael Tut invited a 16-year-old girl to look at his “new decor” in the flat above an Eastleigh shop.

Taking the invitation at “face value” she obliged, a court heard. However, as she was leaving, the 56-year-old, of Turtle Close, in Fareham, began to hug her and tried to kiss her.

He went on grope her and touch her inappropriately which left her “shocked and frightened”.

She is said to have immediately messaged her mother who later called the police.

Prosecution barrister, Mary Aspinall-Miles told Southampton Crown Court how earlier in the day he had persuaded another woman to go for “lunch”.

And, that when they had finished eating, Tut asked his victim to take a selfie with him.

Ms Aspinall-Miles said that the shopkeeper sat behind the woman and kissed her cheek before groping her multiple times.

Tut used his position to become friendly with young teenage girls and would allow them to buy tobacco and offer them free alcohol, the court heard.

He was charged with five counts of sexual assault following the events of June 3, 2019 - to which he pleaded guilty.

Defending, Gemma White, argued for the judge to follow the recommendations of a probation report which suggested there was a low risk of Tut reoffending.

Judge Gary Burrell QC gave him a 36-month community order to include 30 days of rehabilitation activities. He must do 100 hours of unpaid work and will be the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Warning Tut of any potential breach Judge Burrell said: “For goodness sake behave like your age.

“You do not want to spend a year in Winchester prison Mr Tut because you might not survive.”