A MAN has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman after being ordered out of a Hampshire eatery.

Jamie Bicknell entered a restaurant at Stoke Road, Gosport, and ordered some food but was told to leave because of his drunken behaviour.

Whilst outside the restaurant he blocked a woman's path with his arm and began talking to her.

He then started making inappropriate comments before asking her for sex.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard she refused and tried to get past him, but he grabbed her by the throat and continued talking to her. He then grabbed her hair before sexually assaulting her.

Following the assault, Bicknell, 32, of Gregson Avenue, Bridgemary, sat at a bus stop and ate some food.

He committed the offence at around 10pm on February 2 2021

A police spokesperson said CCTV footage showed that Bicknell had travelled to Gosport town centre by bus before walking to Stoke Road.

Further enquiries revealed he had struck up a conversation with the bus driver, disclosing his first name as well as talking about some people they both knew.

"These enquiries assisted police in identifying and tracking down Bicknell, resulting in his arrest," said a police spokesperson.

"He denied the assault and the case went to trial on March 14 2022. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

"Following a re-trial which started at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday the jury unanimously found Bicknell guilty. He will appear at the same court for sentencing on March 29."

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