A hotel porter repeatedly sexually assaulted a woman while working at a city centre hotel, a court has heard.
Keith Dillon, 54, had worked at The Principal Manchester hotel – formerly the Palace Hotel – on Oxford Street, for 17 years.
But in 2017, the 54-year-old launched a sexually assault on the same woman three times in one day.
Dillon, who has since left his job, appeared before a judge after admitting three counts of sexual assault.
During the first assault, Dillon, from Trafford, grabbed the woman from behind, putting his hands on her hips, Manchester Crown Court heard.
He then pressed his groin against her bottom, prosecutor Gavin Howie said, and the victim was said to have been left in shock.
Later, Dillon was in a lift with the woman and he hugged her from behind, put his hands on her breasts and kissed her neck.
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During the third incident, he patted her stomach, then moved towards her groin.
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After a complaint was made to the hotel, Dillon was suspended. He was later reinstated but has since left the hotel, the court heard.
Dillon was remorseful and has apologised to the woman, the judge was told. He pleaded guilty on the day of a proposed trial earlier this week.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said the incident has led to depression and problems with her relationship.
Defending, Rachel Shenton said: He [Dillon] accepts he should have known better.
She said Dillon has paid a heavy price for his actions, having lost his job and the social connections it brought.
Ms Shenton said Dillon cares for his ill mother, regularly cooking for her.
Recorder Geoffrey Lowe sentenced Dillon to a 12-month community order. It will include 80 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Addressing Dillon, the judge said: The main problem here was you didnt really appreciate what you were doing, possibly because of your background and circumstances.
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You should have appreciated the complete lack of response was a key factor in her attitude to you.
The judge said the contact was unwanted and distressing.
You really ought to have known better, he added.
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Dillon, of Lime Walk, Partington, Trafford, will have to sign the sex offender register for five years.
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