A WOMAN who allowed a stranded Polish man to sleep on her sofa awoke to find him in her bed, a court was told.

Prosecutor Louise Howard told Plymouth Crown Court that in the early hours of October 24 last year, the woman, in her twenties, left Fusion nightclub in Kingsbridge with friends.

All were drunk, and Piotr Jakobczyk, 25, intervened in an argument between the woman and her friend.

He attached himself to her group, telling them he was unable to get home.

She told him her boyfriend lived nearby but he could sleep on her sofa.

All four continued drinking at the woman's home, and eventually, just she and Jakobczyk were left alone drinking until 6am.

She then put her pyjamas on in the en suite bathroom and passed out in bed.

She awoke to find Jakobczyk in bed with her, touching her bottom through her pyjamas.

Piers Norsworthy, for Jakobczyk, said he had not touched the woman's skin or touched her intimately, but admitted sexual assault.

Recorder Ian Pringle QC imposed a 12-month community order with 12 months' supervision by the Probation Service plus a two-month midnight to 7am curfew.

He also ordered Jakobczyk, of Marina Terrace, Mutley, to sign the sex offenders register before leaving court.