A FOOD factory worker who sexually assaulted a mum in Worcester and left her fearing for her life was told he could be jailed.

Constantin Palumbo, aged 32, of Henry Street, Barbourne, Worcester had already admitted sexual assault when he appeared at the city's crown court to be sentenced yesterday.

As previously reported Palumbo followed the woman and grabbed her breasts and bottom as she walked home at 3am, at one stage using a scarf to pull her towards him and attempting to pull her into an alleyway.

In a victim personal statement, read out at the magistrates court, the woman said she 'feared for her life' during the incident on February 10.

The woman, who cannot be identified, was followed by Palumbo in The Tything to Ombersley Road where she took refuge inside a petrol station.

When she left the petrol station she was once again confronted by the defendant. She feared Palumbo would strangle her with her scarf.

However, the sentence had to be adjourned because Palumbo had not yet secured legal representation despite having be told to do so at previous hearings. Palumbo appeared with an Italian interpreter having admitted the offence and been convicted at the magistrates court on March 1.

At one of the previous hearings the case could not proceed because Palumbo arrived at Worcester Crown Court when the case was listed at Hereford Crown Court.

Ian Ball, prosecuting, said the sentencing guidelines placed it in category 2B with a starting point of a one year prison sentence.

Judge Anthony Lowe told him: "Because you are a man of good character - you have not been in trouble before - and because you pleaded guilty that 12 months would be reduced.

"I have to decide, having carried out that reduction, whether I want to suspend that sentence. Would you prefer to be dealt with today without representation or would you prefer me to adjourn to another day to get representation?"

Palumbo said he wanted legal representation and apologised for the inconvenience he caused to the court.

The case was adjourned until Friday, May 11.