A CLEANER has been jailed for a year after indecently assaulting a female resident at the sheltered accommodation where he worked.

Graham Williams (63), of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, had pleaded guilty to two counts of the offence at a hearing held in March.

Williams, a domestic assistant, had admitted one incident voluntarily, after being interviewed about a separate complaint from a colleague made in January.

Bury magistrates were told on Tuesday that a female employee had knocked at the victim's door to tell her that a relative had arrived to visit.

There was no response, and when she opened the door the victim, aged in her 40s, was lying semi-naked on the bed with Williams kneeling next to it.

A medical examination revealed that the woman, who suffers from learning disabilities, had been sexually interfered with.

After being arrested by police two days later, Williams admitted his guilt and was said to be "extremely remorseful". He also admitted to an earlier, similar, offence.

The court heard that on a previous occasion Williams had been seen hugging the woman, but told the same member of staff who complained about the later incident that he was trying to console her.

The court was told the woman had not appeared to be in any distress.

Asking that the court consider a non-custodial sentence, defence solicitor Mr Anthony Shimmin said: "The one thing my client would ask me to say is that he has never sought to minimise this offence.

"He regards it as very serious and he is appropriately remorseful. He is no more able to explain his behaviour now than he was at the time."

Magistrates considered his previous good character, but said the offence was too great not to warrant a custodial punishment.

He was sentenced to six months on each count, to be served consecutively, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.