A 36-year-old man who "stalked" a teenage girl as she used a railway station has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Sajid Hussain began following the 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and his behaviour escalated in August when he groped her on two occasions.

The teenager described how Hussain started following her in June and would wait for her at Frizinghall station or nearby.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said the girl described how Hussain became "creepier and creepier" and made her feel angry and scared.

In her statement the complainant said Hussain was stalking her and she just wanted him to leave her alone.

Bradford Crown Court heard today how Sajid, who lives in Highfield Road, Frizinghall, put his arm around the teenager and touched her bottom over her clothing while she was on the platform.

Miss Morland said during that incident Hussain grabbed the girl's bottom and her left breast and squeezed them.

The court heard that Hussain also grabbed the teenager's face and kissed her on the cheek as she tried to pull away from him.

Hussain let the teenager go when her train arrived and the conductor got off, but she described feeling worried about how she was going to get the train the next day.

Miss Morland said the girl felt "angry, helpless and defenceless" and added:"She felt confused and shocked.

"She was scared about telling people about the incident because she was scared no one would believe her or she might be blamed."

The next day Hussain followed her as she walked towards the station and despite her plea for him to "get off" he again touched her bottom.

On this occasion her train was already at the platform so she was able to get on it straight away.

The court heard that Hussain was caught on CCTV footage and he pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment and two allegations of sexual touching when he made his first appearance before the magistrates.

Judge David Hatton QC was told that Hussain had no previous convictions, reprimands or cautions and his barrister Jayne Beckett said he now accepted that he had done wrong and needed assistance.

"For reasons which I cannot fathom you chose to follow her for a number of months and that culminated on two occasions in August with you touching her over her clothing," the judge told Hussain.

"She was caused, I haven't the slightest doubt, fear, anxiety and alarm by you conduct - conduct which is troublesome to me.

"These offences merit and justify a sentence of imprisonment but that sentence would of necessity have to be relatively short having regard to the guidelines and I am more concerned to protect the public from any repetition of this sort of behaviour which can be done more effectively through the probation service in the community.

"There is some prospect of success particularly as you have no previous convictions or any kind and have not displayed this sort of behaviour in the past."

Hussain was sentenced to a total of seven months in jail, suspended for two years, but Judge Hatton also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order which bans him from going onto Frizinghall station between 6pm and 8am.

The defendant will have to register as a sex offender with the police for the next 10 years and he will also have to do 150 hours unpaid work for the community.

The sexual harm order also prohibits Hussain from contacting his victim and he will have to comply with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.