indecent assault on a frightened young woman in Hamilton.

Joeshon Russell, of Pembroke Park Lane, Pembroke Parish, admitted yesterday he had been drinking before he and a second man molested the 25-year-old young woman in Richmond Road.

The second man in the case is to appear in court in November, but Russell was put on probation for 18 months yesterday.

Late in the evening of August 28, the two men began to follow the woman and repeatedly asked her in an obscene manner if she had ever had sex with a black man.

They alternately touched her buttocks and reached up her dress. She lashed out at them believing she had found a safe haven in the Esso petrol filling station in Par-La-Ville Road.

But when she left she was again confronted by the men who continued to indecently assault her.

When he was arrested Russell told Police that he grabbed the woman's buttocks because "it was fun'' and "he was in a good mood''.

But yesterday he told the Magistrates' Court that his excuse was that he had been drinking.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis had received a social inquiry report concerning Russell.

Mr. Francis said: "I hope that you realise that drink can set you down a path that can end in disaster.

"I will give you credit for your plea of guilty and I will take into consideration your age.'' Mr. Francis warned Russell that his probation officer would be keeping a specific eye on whether he continued to drink under age.