A 68 year-old pervert, who gifted himself a “birthday treat” by repeatedly fondling a friend’s 17 year-old daughter when she innocently allowed him in to use the toilet, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence today.
Odd job man John Victor, of Leatherhead Road, Chessington, South-West London groped the “scared” schoolgirl’s breasts and forced his hand between her legs – repeating the attack when allowed back into the house to apologise.
The married first-time offender pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to two counts of sexual assault at the address in Sandy Lane, South Cheam on January 4.
Prosecutor Miss Claire Davies told the court Victor – who initially denied the charges and only pleaded guilty two days before the trial – knew the girl’s family for many years and had regularly worked with her father.
“They had been working together that day and returned to the family address to collect some tools,” said Miss Davies. “The parents then left to take the girl’s brother to an exam and the defendant left.
“A minute later the defendant rang the doorbell and asked to use the toilet. He approached the complainant on the couch and said: ‘It is ages since I had a cuddle.’
“He grabbed her around the waist and put his hand on her breast over her clothes,” explained Miss Davies. “He lifted up her top and licked and bit her nipples.
“She tried to push him away and said she was scared. He put his hand over her vaginal area and rubbed while kissing her neck.
“He was saying: ‘This is a nice birthday treat for me’ and was groaning. He put his fingers inside her trousers, but got no further.”
Victor left and the girl showered and changed her clothes, but he returned ten minutes later, asking to be allowed to apologise.
“Victor stood behind her and placed his hands on her breast area and said: ‘I’m sorry for what I have done, but I am still doing it’.”
The defendant, whose wife of 44 years supported him in court, then sat in his car until the girl’s parents returned and joined them in the house for a cup of tea and a chat.
Later, the girl told her mother what happened and after speaking to a school counselor the police were informed and Victor arrested.
“She says she was scared, disgusted with herself and felt like a prostitute,” added Miss Davies.
Victor’s lawyer Mr. Rupert Hallowes described his client’s offences as: “an appalling aberration of judgment.”
He told the court Victor, who drove aid to war-torn Kosovo in the 1990’s, was dogged by health problems and was even rushed to Kingston Hospital with a suspected heart attack during his first probation interview.
He had a heart attack twenty years ago, is almost blind in one eye and also suffered back and chest problems.
He downplayed his actions during a second probation interview.
“This defendant was not willing to take full responsibility for what he pleaded guilty to,” said Mr. Hallowes. “He found it difficult to come to terms with his criminality.
“He is a man, who after forty-four years of marriage is incapable of coming to terms with the acts of January 4.”
Judge Nicholas Ainley sentenced Victor to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and placed him on a two-year supervision order, which includes attendance at a community sex offender group work programme.
“After a lifetime of work you do this and do this to somebody whose family trusted you and she trusted you,” Judge Ainley told Victor. “It was an appalling breach of trust.”
Victor must also sign-on the sex offenders’ register for at least five years and was made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, prohibiting him working with anybody under eighteen years old.
“Anything like this again and it is straight inside,” the Judge told Victor.
No comments:
Post a Comment