A HERTFORDSHIRE University student celebrating after finishing the final essay for his master's degree was caught on CCTV footage groping a woman's bottom, a court heard.
Collins Okoli, who had just finished studying a degree in social work to become a social worker, was celebrating in Watford when the incident happened.
His barrister Franco Tizzano told St Albans Crown Court yesterday: "It was a matter of stupidity. He was larking around outside a nightclub and touched the person momentarily."
Mr Tizzano said when Okoli, 25, was arrested and was told how upset the woman was he said he wanted to apologise there and then.
Mr Tizzano desribed his client's behaviour as a "momentary laspe of judgement".
Okoli, of Carterhatch Road, Enfield, pleaded guilty to common assault.
Sentencing the defendant to a 12-month community order, Judge Patrick Moloney QC said: "Women deserve protection from any kind of assault. It was a disgraceful assault.
"I am satisfied it was an isolated moment of stupidity".
Okoli must also pay £400 costs.
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