An actor who appeared in some of Britain's top TV shows has been fined and ordered to pay compensation to a shop worker he groped.

Stetson-wearing character actor Kenneth Owens was found guilty of groping the woman after telling her he wanted to have sex with actress Meryl Streep.

Owens has appeared alongside Timothy Spall, Ashley Jensen, James Cosmo and Ricky Tomlinson.

Yesterday, Sheriff Fiona Tait found him implausible and guilty of assault.

Owens was fined £200 and ordered to pay £250 compensation to his victim.

She said: "I am satisfied there was no sexual motivation and it was effectively a case of Mr Owens being a pest having had a drink."

Owens, 62, of Crieff, was found guilty of assaulting the woman in Perthshire on April 17 last year.

During the incident a member of the public in the shop intervened and dragged Owens away as he shouted abuse, the court heard.

Owens had claimed the victim was "enjoying the banter" and that there had been no innuendo intended with his reference to Meryl Streep.

Sheriff Tait told Owens: "I am afraid I reject your account in relation to what take place regarding the physical contact. I found the Crown witnesses credible and reliable."