A councillor who fondled a woman's buttocks at a civic event at which the mayor was present has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Hertsmere Borough Councillor David Burcombe walked up behind the woman at the gathering which was in a church and placed his hand on her bottom and stroked it.

When she turned around he smiled at her making her feel uncomfortable.

Burcombe, 73, was on trial at St Albans Crown Court in July charged with the attack in September.

He then began stroking them and when she turned around smiled at her with a grin that made her feel “uncomfortable”.

On August 5, the judge ruled Burcombe will undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement as recommended by the Probation Service.

He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright said: "We expect the highest standards of conduct from our councillors at all times, professionally and personally.

"His actions have tarnished the outstanding reputation of this authority."

A restraining order was imposed not to contact the victim over the next five years and not to go within a distance of 10 metres of her.

Burcombe will be placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

Cath Shepherd, of Hertsmere Borough Council communications team, said: "As a matter of law, having been sentenced to a term of three months or more he is automatically disqualified from continuing to remain as a councillor unless he exercises his right of appeal over the next 28 days."