Café owner Lewis Ritchie, 38, was given the sentence following a two-day summary trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The court heard how Mr Ritchie forced his tongue in one victim’s mouth after demanding “a proper kiss” following an SNP event.

Another woman who was employed by him revealed how on another occasion he began to “squeeze past her” and touched her on the buttocks several times.

She said the accused on one occasion forcibly slapped her on the left buttock. Minutes later, despite her protests, he repeated the offence so hard it left bruising.

A third victim revealed how she was sharing an Airbnb in Glasgow with several other women after a political event. Mr Ritchie “invited” himself to stay at the same property and later turned up drunk at midnight.

During the night the woman woke to find him standing over her wearing nothing but boxer shorts and trying to get into bed with her. He told her he wanted to “cuddle and sleep”. The woman, who was convinced his motivations were sexual, said his actions had left her feeling “violated” and “alarmed”.

Police launched an investigation after the accused was reported by his former employee. Mr Ritchie was ordered to carry out the unpaid work over a period of nine months.

Peter McClelland, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, commended all the women for bravely testifying against the former SNP Leith councillor.

He said: “This man was in a position of some public standing. The witnesses showed considerable courage in giving evidence against him. We encourage people to come forward and report crimes of this nature.”