An energy company salesman who molested a terrified young mother after making a cold call at her home has been jailed for two years.

A judge said John Adams left the 20-year-old victim “scared and speechless” by the assault on her.

The woman was on the phone to the company after agreeing to a new energy deal when Adams groped her bottom, kissed her on the neck and pulled her hand towards his groin.

In the recorded call played to a jury, she could be heard shouting: “Get off me.”

The woman was in her pyjamas and dressing gown and holding her young child in her arms when the 63-year-old Utilita Energy salesman called after dark at her flat in Swanley in November 2015.

Her ex-boyfriend was lying down in a bedroom suffering from a migraine at the time.

Adams, of Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone, asked to go in, saying it was cold outside. He then offered her a cheaper supply of gas and energy supply.

Prosecutor Craig Evans said Adams suggested that the mother put her child down as she looked uncomfortable.

After she laid the tot on the sofa, Adams asked for a cup of tea. She obliged and then agreed to sign up to the energy company.

“The defendant called the company to conduct the process,” Mr Evans told Maidstone Crown Court. “He responded by saying ‘Well done’ and rubbed the top of her arm.

“She just thought he was being friendly. She received a phone call from the energy company and discussed the terms and conditions of the deal.

“During the course of the call the defendant touched her bottom. She thought it was accidental but realised very quickly it was deliberate because he did it twice more.

“He kissed her on the back of her neck. He took hold of her hand and pulled it towards his waistband. He was undoing his trousers with the other hand.

“She pulled her hand away. She shouted out. She grabbed her child and ended the phone call.”

The woman, who cannot be identified, shouted out: “He has touched me.” Her ex-boyfriend heard her and came out of the bedroom and threw Adams out.

“She was crying and shaking and extremely distressed,” said Mr Evans.

Adams denied sexual assault, claiming she made up the allegation because she was seeking compensation or she did not want to go through with the deal.

But Judge Martin Joy told him on Friday when he appeared for sentence: “You have been convicted on overwhelming evidence.”

Adams continued to maintain his innocence and a probation report referred to “a complete lack of remorse and understanding of the situation”.

The judge said of the assault: “She didn’t know what to do. She called out to her ex-boyfriend and he came to her rescue.

“You pleaded not guilty. It does you no credit and you deserve no credit,” he continued.

“Your defence was she made it all up. That was roundly rejected by the jury.

“Her victim personal statement speaks volumes. It had a massive effect on her.”

The mum said: “When I go to sleep, this is all I think about. I feel as if this man has invaded my personal space. I have become a bit of a recluse.”

Judge Joy added: “The effect of this sort of case is not to be underestimated in any way. It was entirely for your sexual gratification and pleasure.

“You put her through a trial. Such offences causes difficulty in young women trusting men. That is the consequence of your devious behaviour.

“The reality is this was an abuse of trust. The effect is not only on the victim but all who hear about this offence. This was a very serious offence.”

An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was made which bans Adams from making any unsupervised visits to homes. His name will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.