A 47-year-old man who carried out a “disgraceful” sexual assault on a vulnerable 17-year-old girl has been sentenced to a three-year community order.

Nicholas Taylor, of Saxton Avenue, Buttershaw, Bradford, was placed on supervision and ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

He is barred from ever contacting the girl again.

Taylor, a lorry driver, admitted sexually assaulting the young woman at a party in July, 2011.

She had fallen asleep on a couch and woke to find her upper clothing in disarray and Taylor abusing her, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Taylor’s solicitor advocate, Ray Singh, said his client was acutely aware of the damage he had done to his victim.

It was the first time he had been in trouble with the police. He was at a loss to know why he did it, although drink had played a big part.

Judge Robert Bartfield told Taylor: “People will know you are a sex offender and that is a shame you will have to rightly endure.”

Taylor was ordered to pay £300 towards the prosecution costs.