A 38-year-old man has been reprimanded by a judge and given a three-month prison sentence after smacking a woman on the bottom on Worthing promenade.

Roland Stivrins, of no fixed address, was found guilty of sexual assault in his absence following a trial at Hove Crown Court. He was sentenced on March 31.

Teresa Hay, prosecuting, told Hove Crown Court that Stivrins initially tried to force his way into the woman’s flat in Worthing on August 15.

“When the woman answered the door, he asked her for a cup of coffee,” said the prosecutor. “The woman telephoned the police and informed neighbours of the incident.”

The next day, while walking on Worthing promenade, Stivrins spotted the woman and approached her again.

When she asked why he had tried to break into her flat, the prosecutor said he replied: “I like girls like you. I like girls with tattoos.”

CCTV, shown in court, captured the moment Stivrins then smacked the woman on the bottom.

When His Honour Judge David Rennie asked Stivrins if he would like to apologise to the woman, the defendant declined to answer.

“Be careful of how you behave, and treat women with respect,” the judge told Stivrins.

Stivrins was released from custody as he had spent more than 100 days on remand since his arrest. He also received a two-year restraining order.

A further charge of resisting arrest on August 16 was dismissed by the judge.