A Syrian takeaway worker who exposed himself to a young woman and molested her after stalking her through the streets of Watford has had his jail term cut.

Appeal Court judges took mercy on Mohamad Sarouji after hearing that he is suffering from an incurable illness.

Sarouji grabbed the victim's bottom and held her by the arms while the fly on his jeans was unzipped, the court heard.

The 20-year-old, of Market Street, Watford, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at St Albans Crown Court in June, after admitting sexual assault.

But his sentence was cut to two years after judges ruled the original term didn't make enough allowance for the fact he suffers from an incurable liver disease.

The same disease had killed his sister when she was just 17.

The court heard Sarouji saw the victim pass by the takeaway where he worked at about 2am, as she made her way home through Watford town centre in October last year.

He followed her for about seven minutes, but she only became aware he was stalking her when she turned into Victoria Passage and heard his footsteps.

She walked faster to try to get away from him but he caught up with her and then grabbed her behind.

He held her by the arms and she then realised he was aroused and exposing himself through his open jeans fly.

Sarouji repeatedly said, "come on, come on" and the woman thought she was going to be raped.

But he eventually let go of her and fled after she called out for help.

The court heard she was too scared to go out at night after the incident but eventually regained the confidence to do so.

Police traced Sarouji from CCTV and an anonymous tip.

Following his arrest, he admitted the offence and said he became aroused when he saw the woman and followed her because he wanted to have oral sex with her.

His lawyers argued his sentence was 'too long', saying the crown court judge didn't take enough account of the liver disease he suffers from, from which his sister died.

They told the court he had been hospitalised while in prison and also said not enough account was taken of his youth.

Allowing the appeal, Mr Justice Cranston said: "This was a very serious offence.

"It is only through the robustness of this young woman that she has been able to regain confidence when going alone through Watford.

"The circumstances of the offending are particularly objectionable.

"But, having given the matter serious thought, we are impressed by two features of this case: the age of the appellant and his serious illness.

"He has a condition which is possibly fatal and needs constant medical attention because of it.

"He has also been particularly affected by the death of his sister from the same disease.

"We take the view that a more appropriate sentence would have been two years."