A FAILED asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a barmaid has been jailed for a year.

Abdulkhalieq Mahmoudi made unwelcome advances to the woman, tried to kiss her and rubbed a hand along her thigh.

The incident culminated in him exposing himself.

Mahmoudi, 25, of Stoneyhurst Road, Blackburn, had denied sexual assault, but had been convicted by a jury following trial.

Preston Crown Court was told that the Iranian man came to the UK in 2007.

He applied for asylum, which was rejected and his appeal against that decision was rejected in January 2008.

It was now up to the Home Office to take further action, the court was told.