A MAN who intimately touched a woman without her consent has heard how he left his victim feeling “a whole range of emotions that cannot be put into words”.

Matthew Dobson, 44, will remain on the Sex Offender Register for five years over the attempted sexual assault.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard this week how Dobson, of Victoria Embankment, Darlington, insisted on cuddling and holding hands with the woman before touching her.

The 44-year-old, who has a personality disorder and learning disability, pleaded guilty to the attack committed in May, followed by a string of criminal damage offences and threats made to other women since spring.

A victim personal statement was read out in court on behalf of the woman he assaulted in Darlington. She said: “He said he wanted to hold my hand and cuddle me and I asked him not to. He was trying to hold my arms down and he attempted to touch my groin area.

“He was touching the front of my groin area still making attempts to try and cuddle. He was moved away and he sat down and he said, ‘I’m always nice to the ladies’.”

She added that incident left her feeling “angry, confused, anxious and a whole range of emotions that cannot be put into words”.

The court heard that Dobson had been drinking in Darlington before attempting the sexual assault and had also consumed alcohol when he caused more than £750 worth of criminal damage on two separate occasions.

His solicitor, Rory Todd, said his client has chronic physical and mental issues.

He added: “When he’s drunk he’s a horrible person, he says. He goes out, he enjoys the freedom of going out, and he drinks too much.

“He says he was having a great night out when he comes back and the feeling of the high becomes a low and he has difficulty dealing with his emotions in that sense.”

Dobson was given an 18-month mental health treatment order and must pay £500 in compensation to the sexual assault victim.

Dobson is already paying for the criminal damage.