A man was spared jail after admitting sexually touching two men.

Gary Close, 51, of Downfield Lane in Bigrigg, appeared at the magistrates’ court in Workington on Friday.

He admitted the offences, committed on October 15 in Bigrigg.

The court heard Close’s victims were over 16 and the touching was sexual but not consensual.

Magistrates said the sentence was justified because Close assaulted two emergency workers and “deliberately continued with the assault to wind them up”.

He was handed a six-month jail term suspended for 24 months.

He must also sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.

Close must abide by a community order, requiring him to take part in any activity requested by a responsible officer for up to 20 days.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of his victims, pay £85 court costs and £122 victim surcharge.