A pensioner who groped a 14-year-old schoolgirl has been spared a jail sentence at Worcester Crown Court.

John Cooper, aged 76, attacked the victim after she fell asleep at his home, said prosecutor Peter Cook.

She awoke shocked, kicked out at him and fled from the house in Heronsfield Close, Redditch.

He later sent her a text phone message saying he loved her and apologising for his behaviour.

Cooper, a widower who lived alone, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the girl on July 5 last year.

Judge Michael Mott said the disgraceful event was Cooper's first brush with the law.

Sentencing the defendant to a two-year community rehabilitation order, the judge said it would not have been right to send a man of his age to jail.

But he added that the habit Cooper had for allowing schoolgirls to come to his home had been an unwise practice.

The judge ordered him to attend a sex therapy programme and register as a sex offender for five years.

He also ruled that he must have no contact with children under 16.

Cooper invited a number of girls to his house on a regular basis, the court heard.

Some were playing truant from school and scrounged cigarettes off him.

Police were brought in after the victim told her sister, said Mr Cook.

Cooper admitted he liked the company of young girls, even though they took advantage of his good-hearted nature.

He told police he put his arm round the victim after chatting to her and kissed her. He also admitted putting his hand on her breast and down her trousers.

Cooper felt ashamed afterwards, said Nicolas Cartwright, defending. He acknowledged that the offence crossed the custody threshold.