A pensioner who had sexual contact with a teenage girl has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.

Lawrence Robinson, 77, was sentenced by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court after previously admitting a charge of sexual activity with the girl.

Judge Peter Davies heard Robinson's victim raised the alarm after an incident on August 19 last year.

"She was concerned and distressed by the experience," prosecutor Antony Longworth told the court.

"She told her family and others. Police were informed. The defendant was interviewed and arrested."

Robinson was described as a man of previous "positive good character". Judge Davies noted he had been considered an "upstanding member of the community" and that he had a "full, extensive working life".

His crime was committed three months after the death of his wife of 50 years.

Greg Hoare, defending, said: "It is always a matter of great regret when someone in the position of Mr Robinson comes before the court.

"He is perfectly aware these days of the seriousness with which any form of sexual offending is held by the courts and public society at large."

Mr Hoare, referring to a pre-sentence report, stated: "The author appears to conclude that it is certainly a situation where Mr Robinson, given his frailties and age, would be a vulnerable person if Your Honour did send him to custody immediately."

Judge Davies agreed, concluding that neither society nor the victim would be "assisted" by such a sentence.

"What would be better is making sure you get some help to make sure these sort of offences don't happen again," said the judge.

Robinson, of Pearl Road, Salterbeck, Workington, was handed a nine-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years.

He was also given a three-month electronically monitored night-time curfew, and must complete a rehabilitation requirement. He has to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Robinson was deemed to pose a "low risk" of re-offending. But Judge Davies warned him the consequences of further crimes would be dire.

"I don't want to send a 77-year-old man to custody. You have been on this earth more than two decades more than I have," said the judge.

"I don't want to be in that position. I am sure, Mr Robinson, you don't want to put me in that position."