A failed asylum seeker sexually assaulted two women - one of whom was being sick - on a night out before walking off laughing.

The 17-year-old east African, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted groping the revellers three times .

He grabbed a woman between the legs as she stood at the top of Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone, just before 1am last month.

She confronted him but he walked away sniggering.

He is then seen on CCTV grabbing her friend while she was being sick – she was drunk and did not realise what had happened – before assaulting the first victim again.

“You are now living in England and this kind of conduct towards females is totally unacceptable" — Lynda Jones, chairman of the bench

She was visibly distressed and can be seen with her head in her hands as he again walked off laughing.

Rebecca Helliwell, defending, told Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that her client, who was of previous good character, initially said he had been joking around with friends and didn’t realise what he had done was wrong.

On reflection, and having spoke to the police, he realised it was very serious and unacceptable, the court heard.

She said he came to England on his own several months ago and is being looked after by social services. He is studying English and maths.

She added his application for asylum had been rejected and
he is appealing against the decision.

Lynda Jones, chairman of the bench, said: “You are now living in England and this kind of conduct towards females is totally unacceptable and if you come before the court again you could be looking at prison.

“We are today dealing with you by a six-month referral order. This means you engage with our youth offending team and do exactly as you are instructed.

“The order will address how you treat ladies in this country. It is not a joke and we view your conduct as gravely serious.”

The court heard as the custody threshold had not been passed the defendant would not have to sign the sex offenders’ register.

In addition to the referral order he must pay £100.