A former convenience shop worker has been jailed after trying to kiss an 11-year-old girl.

Mauritian national Ajay Sahye, 42, had been working at the Londis store in Ewell Road, Surbiton, where the offences occurred on November 23 last year.

He appeared at Kingston Crown Court for sentencing today sporting a shaved head and a grey tracksuit, having pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by touching at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Stephen Apted said the victim, a regular customer, had gone into the store to buy a drink, but had then asked to use the toilet.

Mr Apted said: "When she came out of the toilet, he [Sahye] grabbed her around the waist with both arms and began to kiss her right cheek, her mouth - and put his tongue into her mouth for about a second.

"He asked her if she was a virgin and if she had lost her virginity. She did not know what he was talking about.”

Mr Apted said Sayhe asked the girl several times if she had sex, before she ran out of the shop.

The court heard the victim and the defendant had known each other and were said to have cuddled or kissed on the cheek in the past.

Police attended the store on the same night.

Sahye told officers he had known the girl for some months as she had come into the shop regularly, and admitted he had kissed her - but denied he had used his tongue.

He added he was "shocked" upon arrest and "deeply sorry" that the girl was 11 years-old, as she had claimed to be 16.

Defence counsel Tim Naik said: “He [Sahye] is a man of 42 of previous good character. He pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. He has never claimed benefits. He has worked.

“He is an educated man – he has done computer studies, business studies and English whilst he was here. He is not in any financial difficulty. He does not drink, smoke or take any drugs. He is clean living.

“He is ashamed. He has learnt a very harsh lesson because he has been in custody for the first time in a foreign country where he has never faced any form of police involvement."

Mr Naik added he believed Sahye was “naive”.

The court also heard Sahye had overstayed his visa because he had not been able to get hold of his passport since being mugged in 2011.

Prior to this he had gained permission to live in the UK since his arrival in 2004.

Sahye, of Ewell Road, was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison for both counts of assault, to run concurrently.

He has already served seven weeks.

He was also given a sexual offices prevention order for five years and put on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

Kingston Council temporarily suspended Londis’ premises licence following the assault.

But the suspension was lifted following an appeal by licence holder Akvinder Mahal in December.