A MAN left his teenage victim feeling “small and weak” after sexually assaulting her, a court has heard.

Gary Stone, 37, of Vermeer Crecsent, Shoebury, began his inappropriate behaviour by speaking to the victim about her sexual experiences.

He commented on her private parts and the two started “play-fighting” before Stone proceeded to touch the victim inappropriately, causing her to “freeze”.

Stone denied two counts of sexual activity with a child, but was convicted of the offences after a trial.

Yesterday, he was spared jail during a sentencing hearing at Basildon Crown Court.

Isobel Ascherson, prosecuting, read out a victim impact statement to the court.

It read: “The incident left me feeling angry and bitter, which is out of character for me.

“That man has made me feel small and weak. I replay the incident in my head and when Gary touched me I froze.

“I should have told him to stop but I felt powerless and couldn’t do anything to prevent what happened.”

The court heard Stone gave the victim “tips” on how to perform a sex act which were “entirely unsolicited”.

Nick Bonehill, mitigating for Stone, said: “Since the conviction there has been a drastic effect on Mr Stone’s life.

“He has lost his job of seven years and is in huge financial difficulties. As a result of the offending his pool of work is smaller than previously.

“What is clear from Mr Stone’s mental health treatment report is that there have been ongoing issues exacerbated by these proceedings.

“As a result of speaking to probation, Mr Stone has already been accepted by St Andrew’s Healthcare subject to any sentence.”

Recorder Anthony Abell addressed Stone in court whilst sentencing.

He said: “These offences saw you offering tips on how to perform oral sex which were entirely unsolicited and left the complainant feeling embarrassed.

“When you touched the victim she didn’t know what to do as a teenage girl, she didn’t scream or struggle she just froze.”

Recorder Abell handed Stone an eight month sentence suspended for two years with 100 hours of unpaid work, a 60 day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

He as also handed an sexual harm prevention order for ten years.