A man who sexually assaulted a woman in a hot tub has been jailed for 27 months.

Paul Gregory told a judge at Maidstone Crown Court that what he had done was "frankly disgusting".

The 25-year-old, of Wisteria Gardens, Swanley, had admitted sexually assaulting his victim on New Year's Eve in 2019.

She later revealed to her boyfriend how she "froze" during the incident after initially being touched by Gregory and telling him "no".

But the drunken garden centre worker ignored her and began groping the terrified woman for several minutes.

Prosecutor Paul Valder told how the victim fled the hot tub and went to a bathroom where she broke down and reported the assault.

When Gregory was questioned he apologised but then claimed it had been "blown out of all proportion", claiming falsely she had been flirting with him.

He said he was very drunk and believed the victim "should have told him 'no' and removed his hand".

Tom Aitken, defending, said Gregory was terrified of going to prison and had been shunned by many of his friends since the incident.

He added that he wanted the victim to know he was remorseful and realised the impact on her.

Judge Julian Smith said the incident was "grave" and jailed him.

Gregory was told he would have to remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

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