A former Norfolk firefighter sexually assaulted a woman who had been put to bed after falling ill following a party, a court has heard.

Phillip Howitt, 61, who also served in the RAF, went into a bedroom and sexually assaulted the victim, who was in her 20s.

Eastern Daily Press: Phillip Howitt after his arrest in 2021Phillip Howitt after his arrest in 2021 (Image: Norfolk Police)Norwich Crown Court heard the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, became ill after drinking at a party and fell asleep after being put to bed at an address in Stoke Holy Cross.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Matthew Sorel-Cameron, prosecuting, said Howitt entered the bedroom as the woman slept and touched her sexually for "about 10 seconds" before she came around.

Howitt left before returning to ask if she was okay and she pretended she did not know what had happened.

She was later found "shaking" and having a panic attack by another woman at the property who she confided in.

Police were called following the incident on September 4, 2021, and Howitt, who had been drinking on the night, was arrested.

Andrew Thompson, mitigating, said his client deserved full credit for his guilty plea and was aware he had done something "terribly wrong".

He said he committed a "total aberration" over the period of a few moments on that night which had "completely altered" the view everyone will have of him, including himself.

Mr Thompspn said Howitt had been in the RAF and was a Norfolk firefighter for almost 20 years leading an "exemplary" public and professional life until these "few minutes of madness".

Howitt, of Wayford Road, Stalham, appeared for sentence on Wednesday after previously admitting assault by penetration.

Eastern Daily Press: Phillip Howitt pictured when he was a firefighter back in 2002Phillip Howitt pictured when he was a firefighter back in 2002 (Image: Newsquest)Jailing him for three years, Recorder John Hardy said he had done a "truly terrible thing" to the victim whose privacy he had "invaded".

But he said Howitt had not only affected the victim by what he had done but also "destroyed yourself" and has lost his family as a result of his actions.

Howitt was put on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.