A drunken off-duty British Airways ground crew manager, who twice groped a snoozing male passenger between the legs on a long-haul flight, has been given a community order.

Paul Speak, 47, spotted the young man, who was travelling alone to Bangkok, and groped him as he dozed in the darkened cabin while wearing an eye mask.

However, when Speak tried to do it a second time the victim grabbed his hand and shouted: “What the f*** are you doing? Stay away.”

Speak, of Hawkes Close, Langley, was found guilty earlier this month of sexual assault by an Isleworth Crown Court jury regarding the October 12 incident last year.

On Tuesday he was made the subject of a twelve-month community order, which includes 160 hours community service – and he must pay £400 costs. He must also sign the sex offenders register for five years, the court heard.

Recorder Bruce Houlder QC told Speak: “Whilst the internal aircraft light was dimmed and while you thought the complainant was asleep you twice moved your hand up his leg and touched his penis over clothing.

“The touching appears to be brief and the second time the passenger complained to the crew and you remained in a seat reserved for crew for the remainder of the flight.

“Fortunately for you it was reported to the UK police rather than the police in Thailand.

“You were a manager with British Airways (BA), you must have been aware of the gravity of the offence you were committing and the staff knew who you were.

“You did falsely suggest the complainant was mistaken in that you touched him and you have not expressed remorse of any kind.”

Speak was sacked by BA after an internal disciplinary hearing before the trial. The victim told the jury he caught Speak looking at him soon after boarding.

He had said: “It was a stare straight to me and a smile.”

Prosecutor, Miss Kathy Hirst, had told the jury that the first incident occurred four hours after taking off from Heathrow, with the BA employee using his staff points to fly.

The passenger reported Speak to the cabin crew and a member of staff spoke to him. It was obvious to her that he was drunk and she told him a complaint had been made. His eyes rolled and he fainted dramatically to the floor, the court heard. Speak, who denied touching the passenger, was questioned by police on his return to the UK.

On Tuesday Jake Taylor, defending, told the court: “He had a long and distinguished career at BA and finds himself in a large amount of debt.

“Having lost his job he will lose his property and is relocating to live with his parents.

“After a period of reflection he will be a benefit to society once more.”