Man sentenced for sexual assault in nightclub toilets - Newcastle

A 57 year old man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a 20 year old woman, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Andrew Gardner, of Railway Terrace, Rugby, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Newcastle Combined Court and was sentenced to a three year community order on Wednesday, 4 May. He must also fulfil a three month tagged curfew, a 35 day rehabilitation programme and a 55 day sex offender programme.
In addition, he must register at his local police station for five years and pay his victim £200 compensation.

The court heard how, in the early hours of Sunday, 21 November last year, Gardner grabbed his victim as she approached the toilets in Jalou nightclub, underneath the Station Hotel in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

He pulled her towards him and asked what her name was before moving his hands down and grabbing her backside. She managed to break away from him and enter the toilets but on leaving Gardner was waiting outside the door.
This time he grabbed her right arm and attempted to pull her towards a room. The victim tried to pull away before she was helped by a stranger who managed to eventually push Gardner away and pull her free.

Investigating officer DS Graham Marshall-Batey said: "This was a terrifying encounter for the victim - and truly defines unwanted sexual behaviour.
"Gardner had no right to touch his victim and despite her protests he waited for her to emerge from the toilets to continue his assault, knowing she was alone and vulnerable.
"Thanks to the intervention of the stranger the victim was able to get away and we commend this woman for her actions.
"Being drunk is no defence for predatory behavior like this. We take all reports of sexual harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations."