Woman Groped On Dancefloor By Ex-Soldier During Reunion

A Falklands War veteran, who travelled to London for a rugby-themed reunion, groped a woman who was dancing in front of him three times and flew into a rage when confronted.

Paul White, 55, of Cornwall House, Borough Road, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Devon will return to wimbledon Magistrates Court on June 17 for a pre-sentence report.

He pleaded guilty today to sexually assaulting a female at The Railway Tavern, The Quadrant, Richmond-upon-Thames on May 9 and using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour on the same occasion.

The court heard the victim was enjoying a celebratory evening at the pub with friends and was on the dancefloor with White, who did not know her, standing behind.

He groped her rear with his hand on three separate occasions and she turned and told him: “Twice may be an accident, but three times is deliberate.”

She alerted security and White turned aggressive when challenged about his behaviour and a minor scuffle broke out.

The court was told White was in London to watch rugby and celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Goose Green, which took place in May, 1982, mainly involving 2 Para of the Parachute Regiment.