A solicitor convicted of racially aggravated assault has avoided prison but been given a notification requirement as a sex offender. Alastair Main was required to register for five years, handed a 12-month community order and will be forced to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Earlier this month, the Gazette reported that Main, formerly a solicitor at City firm Schroders, had been found guilty following an incident at the London Rowing Club’s 2015 Christmas party in Putney.

The 35-year-old was accused of pouring a beer over a 27-year-old woman, calling her an ‘Australian slut’ and repeatedly slapping her bottom.

Main maintained that he had called her a slut but insisted that the incident was not racially motivated. He added that the slapping was ‘cheeky’ in its nature.

But following a trial at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court he was found guilty.

He was sacked from his position at Schroders shortly after his conviction. In a statement, the firm said: 'Mr Main has left the firm. We don’t comment on our employees’ or former employees’ personal lives.'

Handing down the sentence today, Judge Barbara Barnes also imposed a five-year restraining order banning Main from contacting his victim. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

The court heard that since his conviction Main had sold his car and has been supporting his wife and eight-week-old child on the proceeds.