A woman will be on the sex offenders' register for ten years after she admitted sexually assaulting another woman.

Kelly Ballinger-Mountford, 30, was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months for the offence which took place in Selby last May.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, told York Crown Court she had a dispute with the 24-year-old victim and during the argument, the victim's leg was burnt by the cigarette that Ballinger-Mountford was holding. Shortly after that, the 30-year-old attacked the victim sexually.

Ballinger-Mountford, formerly of Selby and now of Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault.

Recorder Simon Myerson QC said he had to put her on the sex offenders' register because the law didn't give him any option. "I don't believe this offence merits it," he said.

By law, anyone given a prison sentence of between six and 30 months for sexual offences, whether or not the sentence is suspended, has to be on the sex offenders' register for ten years. Everyone on the register has to keep the police informed of where they live, so police can keep an eye on them.

The judge suspected Ballinger-Mountford's sex act was a form of "dominance" over the victim.

"You lost your temper.," he said. "You thought 'I am going to do this' even though you knew perfectly well it wasn't wanted. It was an act of stupidity."

But Ballinger-Mountford was not a violent woman and she was remorseful for what she had done.

He decided not to impose any conditions on the suspended sentence because he said that she didn't need help from the probation service.

The judge made a restraining order, banning Ballinger-Mountford from having any contact with the victim either directly or indirectly through other people for seven years.

Her barrister Chloe Fairley said she accepted she should have nothing to do with the victim. She had started a new life in a different part of the country. "She is supported by her family and has moved on in her life," said Miss Fairley.