A married woman pestered the host of a Christmas party by licking his face, touching his bottom and taking hold of his groin, a court heard.

Jane Hill was said to have been drinking and “in high spirits” when she accosted the man, who repeatedly objected to her behaviour. The 55-year-old was said to have been “engaging in physical contact” with a number of male guests at the celebration in December 2015 before turning her attention to her host.

She was later arrested and charged with sexual assault, and was due to stand trial on Monday – but a guilty plea to an alternative offence of battery was accepted by the prosecution.

Maidstone Crown Court was told the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, believed Hill’s actions were meant to shock him rather than being done in a sexual manner. The offence of sexual assault was ordered to be left on the court record.

Hill, from Benfleet, near Basildon, was given a one-year conditional discharge after a judge said her inappropriate behaviour had cost her her good name “in a pretty major way”. She was also ordered to pay £750 court costs.

Her husband, Kevin, admitted assaulting the same man and causing him actual bodily harm at a previous hearing. The 53-year-old is awaiting sentence in relation to the attack, which happened the day after the party.

The court heard the couple had gone to the party near Dartford.

Hill first kissed the victim on both cheeks, and then licked his face. Prosecutor Daniel Benjamin said: “He reacted by making it clear he didn’t like it and walked away. Later, she approached him again, placed her hand on his bottom, over clothing, and moved her middle finger. He again walked away.

“For the final time, following a discussion about the touching that had gone on, she reached forward, effectively taking hold of the area around his genitals.” Hill told police she had greeted the host “in a normal manner” but agreed he had told her he did not like his face being licked.

Rebecca Randall, defending, said Hill’s actions were the result of a woman who “misjudged” the situation and “went a little too far”. “She is sorry, regrets her actions and regrets any offence caused,” she added.

Passing sentence, Judge Jeremy Carey said Hill should be ashamed for the way she “misbehaved”.