A MAN has been given a police caution for pinching Channel 4 News presenter Sue Turton's bottom as she was reporting live on television, police confirmed today.

Ms Turton was speaking to camera last week, reporting on the flooding in Oxford's Osney Island, when Rufus Burdett walked past and pinched her.

The incident was captured live on television, as was Ms Turton's unruffled response as she carried on delivering her report. The footage has been popular on video sharing website Youtube.

She told Thames Valley Police she did not wish to press charges but officers tracked down Mr Burdett, who lives in Oxford, in the early hours of Tuesday morning and gave him a caution.

Mr Burdett, who was identified through the television footage of the attack, was not available for comment this morning.

Police had considered imposing a fixed penalty fine of £80 but a spokeswoman said that officers decided against this.

Following the attack, Ms Turton said: "Many people found the incident in Oxford last week when a man pinched my bum live on Channel 4 News humorous.

"But I did wonder, if I accepted such behaviour without complaint, what hope do women who are groped in public in this way have of any recourse?

Humiliating

"I personally found the matter quite humiliating and somewhat disrespectful to the plight of those I was reporting about.

"Some may say I'm being prudish. It's true, I've been in much more threatening situations throughout my reporting career, but they were in far-flung places where personal space isn't a priority.

"Male reporters would never be treated to a public goosing. Should the women of my profession not expect the same respect?"

To watch a video of the incident, click here.