AN asylum seeker convicted of molesting a schoolgirl in a back street, told a judge: "It wasn't me. I'm a married man."

Ahmed Karime, 25, had earlier been convicted of indecent assault by a jury after a trial at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, of St Huberts Road, Great Harwood, denied the allegation. His barrister Paul Hague told the court Karime would be appealing against the conviction.

Karime was given a combination order of community punishment and 12 months community rehabilitation.

He was put on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and warned by Judge Raymond Bennett if he did not complete the order he would be bought back before the court and could face jail.

The court had earlier heard how the 14-year-old victim had been pushed against a wall by the defendant who tried to kiss her and told her he loved her.

The girl, who was hysterical, went and told her grandmother and Karime was later confronted by her father.

Karime was picked out on an identity parade but told the police he could remember nothing as his grandfather had died a few days before and he had been drunk.