A SHOP worker was ordered to strip at "gunpoint" before being subjected to a terrifying indecent assault.

The woman was working in the shop in Sunderland last August when John Lark, 27, went in to buy some lager.

After paying, he pulled out an imitation firearm before ordering her to strip.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that when the assistant refused, Lark made his way around the counter and forced her to the floor.

Christopher Knox, prosecuting, said: "He said 'I will shoot you', then grabbed her ponytail.

"She finished up on the floor. She tried to kick him away and the defendant finally left saying 'I will deal with you later'."

The horrified woman was left with minor injuries after the attack, which was captured on closed-circuit television.

Lark, who was already on probation for an earlier offence, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and having an imitation firearm with intent.

His barrister, Ian Graham, said he did not mean to carry out the attack and could remember nothing about it.

Judge David Hodson said: "She must have been absolutely terrified when you produced the gun, though it is right to say she soon realised it was not real and told you so.

"But you then went on to commit against her an offence of indecent assault. She must have been terrified as to what might happen."

Judge Hodson jailed Lark, of no fixed address, for three years. He will also be on the sex offenders' register for life