Man sentenced for sex assault on member of security staff - Hull

A 55 year old man has been sentenced after he inappropriately touched a member of station security staff, following a British Transport Police investigation.

 

David Newell, of Princes Avenue, Hull, admitted sexually touching the woman at a previous hearing and received a 12 month community order at Hull Crown Court on Friday, 12 November. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £90 and will be placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

 

The court heard how on Friday, October 4, Newell approached the woman who was conducting a patrol with a male colleague at Hull Paragon Interchange.

 

Newell entered the station and headed towards the pair, before sexually assaulting the victim.

 

Her colleague pursued Newell and challenged him about what he had just done. Newell laughed off the incident which he described as ‘Friday afternoon antics’ before apologising to his victim and later claiming it was a case of mistaken identity.

 

A BTP officer spotted Newell drinking in a pub a few days later and arrested him for sexual assault.

 

Investigating officer DC Richard Soare said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim, who was left shocked and upset by Newell’s assault.

 

“Sexual assault is no laughing matter and will not be tolerated on the railway. Hopefully Newell now realises this after his ‘antics’ landed him with a criminal record.

 

“No one should ever experience unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network. We take every report of sexual assault seriously, whether directed towards the public, rail staff or our officers.

 

“We will provide full support to the victims and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

 

“I would urge anyone subjected to, or witness to, unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway to text us on 61016. In an emergency, always call 999.”