An RAF Sergeant grabbed the breast of a female colleague at a military ball because he was convinced she was a 'geezer in a dress', a court martial heard.

Former Sergeant William Wilton, a 20-year veteran, shouted 'these aren't real' as he 'lunged' towards the woman in a bid to prove that her boobs were fake in Brize Norton.

The court heard that angry Wilton was sure that his victim - who has a slim build and short hair - was a junior rank man 'disrespecting' the event by wearing a gown.

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Despite her insisting she was female, the 'aggressive' RAF man, 39, got into a 'bizarre' altercation with her that led to him 'cupping and squeezing' her chest as he tried to show he was right.

Buldford Military Court in Wiltshire heard that the victim was attending the party with her boyfriend and was wearing a ballgown instead of her dress uniform because she was newly promoted and did not have the correct attire.

In a 'ghastly misjudgement' Wilton - who was drunk - demanded to know 'what are you doing dressed like that?'

Now, the veteran has been slapped with a suspended sentence and a fine for his 'aggressive' actions after pleading guilty to one count of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind.

Assistant Judge Advocate Jane England criticised Wilton's 'boorish' behaviour and told him it was 'not your place' to 'bully' someone for how they expressed themselves.

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Prosecutor Lieutenant Commander Andy Ramage said the 'bizarre' incident happened at the RAF Brize Norton air base.

He read out a statement from the victim, who had to take sick leave and even considered leaving the RAF following the incident.

She said: "After the incident I had mixed emotions, I asked had it really happened, had I made myself a target?

"Somehow someone had invaded my personal space, a small part of me was angry and annoyed.

"I have considered if changing my appearance would help but that would mean not being true to myself.

"Afterwards I did not feel safe leaving my room, I have not been to another mess function or eaten in there.”

Mitigating, Matthew Bolt told the court Wilton 'truly believed' that the victim was a junior rank mocking the formal event.

He said: “It was utterly out of character. Mr Wilton accepts he needs to be punished for this.

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"He only asks it is done in a way that the next several years of his life do not become all about that one ghastly misjudgement."

Wilton was sentenced to 26 weeks detention suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay a £1,000 in victim compensation as well as a £1,000 fine.

He has been medically discharged from the RAF since this incident for unrelated health reasons.