A ROCKWELL Green man who made a drunken sexual assault on two teenage friends was spared a custodial sentence after a probation officer’s pre-sentence report said he was lonely and isolated and that the youths, aged 17 and 18, were the only friends he had.

Joshua Trowbridge, 19, of Oaken Ground, sexually touched the youths at an address in Wellington after a drinking session when he was described as ‘smashed’, Taunton Crown Court was told.

When questioned later by police, he made a statement saying he would not deny the allegations, said Nikki Coombe, prosecuting.

Rebecca Bradberry, defending, said one of the youths had said in a statement that he never wanted to press charges and added: “We are best friends. I never wanted this to happen.”

She said this reflected the situation and the incident had ‘impacted’ on the defendant’s ability to find work.

Judge David Ticehurst told jobless Trowbridge: “It was a stupid thing to do. I have no doubt you did it because you were drunk but you should not have done it at all.

“What you need is help and support, rather than immediate punishment. I think it’s to [a victim’s] credit that he has forgiven you and says he wishes to remain friends.”

Imposing a three-year community order with a Thames Valley sexual offences programme and a 40-day activity requirement, he asked Trowbridge if he had any income and was told he received no benefits and his mother paid for his tobacco.

The judge ordered him to pay £250 costs at £5 a week and added: “If you have to get the money from your mother, you will have to give up smoking.”

He was also ordered to sign the sexual offences register for five years and was placed under a restraining order to keep away from one of the youths for five years – “unless he comes to court and says he wants to get in touch with you”.