A TEENAGE fisherman groped a stranger's breast on a canal towpath - only for him to be caught after she photographed him.

Michael Parry was walking towards the mum carrying his fishing tackle when he reached out and grabbed her breast, squeezing it, later claiming he was frustrated because a canoeist had scared away all the fish.

The 18-year-old of Farriers Close, Droitwich, had already admitted sexual assault at a previous hearing when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday for sentence.

The incident happened on February 2 this year. He was supported at court by members of his family.

Melanie Winterflood, prosecuting, said Parry and the victim were walking in opposite directions when their paths crossed.

The complainant, who cannot be identified, may have seen him before and recognised him as a fisherman because he was carrying fishing equipment with him.

"Mr Parry reached out and, with his left hand, grabbed her left breast and squeezed" said Miss Winterflood.

Parry kept on walking, joining the pavement in Hanbury Road, Droitwich.

"The victim followed Mr Parry, shouting 'you're not getting away!' She followed Mr Parry from Hanbury Road and proceeded to take a series of photographs of him as he was walking away" said Miss Winterflood.

The victim called police to explain what had happened, passing on the photographs and a description of her attacker and what he was wearing.

That description was circulated among the fishing and angling community and the Safer Neighbourhood Team later received a call from a nearby fishing store.

They were told that someone matching the description was inside wearing the very same clothes.

Officers arrived and Parry was arrested, admitting what he had done in interview.

Miss Winterflood said: "He immediately admitted that he had in fact grabbed the victim's breast.

He said he had been fishing and he was frustrated because a canoeist had scared the fish and he flipped out."

He said he had autism and ADHD but had never been diagnosed.

Chris Hilton, defending, said his client was remorseful for what had happened. "He's struggling to understand or convey why he he did what he did - but he did - and he fully accepts that he did it," he said.

Magistrates handed him a community order for 18 months and ordered him to complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 140 hours of unpaid work.

Parry must pay £400 in compensation to his victim, £185 costs and £185 victim surcharge. He must register as a sex offender for five years.