A DRUNKEN man who licked a 12-year-old girl’s eyeball has been cleared of sexually assaulting her.

Gary Naylor had admitted assaulting the child on the evening of September 11 last year, but denied his actions were sexual.

During a three day trial, a jury at Bolton Crown Court heard how the girl had been playing in a Tonge Moor street with a friend when 23-year-old Naylor staggered towards them.

Naylor then grabbed the child in a tight hug, kissed her and licked her eyeball.

Judge Elliot Knoff told Naylor, of St Helens Road, Bolton, said that it was “bizarre behaviour in the extreme” which continued afterwards when he walked into a stranger’s house, tried to get into cars on Tonge Moor Road and attempted to hug men.

The court heard that Naylor has an extensive criminal record, including a conviction for assaulting accident and emergency hospital staff.

But Vanessa Thomson, defending, said that in recent months he has been cutting down his drinking, has a stable relationship and work in a warehouse.

Sentencing Naylor to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months for assault, Judge Knopf told him: “Under the influence of drink you simply do not appear to know what you are doing.

“It was an appalling experience for the girl.

“You should feel ashamed.”