A DRUNK man kissed two girls who were out playing in the street in East Cowes.

Wayne Norris, 50, of Osborne Road in the town, admitted two counts of touching a girl and was sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court yesterday (Friday).

Norris had at first entered no plea as he claimed his actions weren't sexually motivated — and he had no recollection of the incident. However he pleaded guilty on September 9.

Yesterday, the court heard Mr Norris was drinking vodka and looking out to sea, 'watching the world go by', on August 12, to celebrate his 50th birthday, which had been the previous day.

His next recollection was a visit from the police, who said he had been accused of approaching two young girls, age seven and 11, while they were playing outside together, and kissing them — the younger girl on the lips.

Christopher Pix, representing Norris, said he wanted to draw the court's attention to Norris's remorse he has shown since the incident and he had made a 'stupid mistake'.

He had no previous convictions.

Judge Tim Mousley said it was unclear how much the children had been affected by the incident, but they would have been affected in some way.

Referring to the probation report, he said: "You were drunk and have no excuses. You clearly have a drink problem but present a low risk of future offences."

He sentenced Norris to an 18 month community order to include 30 rehabilitation days to address inappropriate behaviour and his drinking problems.

He must also undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.

He will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and is barred from working with children.