Blackpool girl, 16, sexually assaulted on bus

9:05am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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A 16-year-old girl who got on a bus at Blackpool was sexually assaulted by another passenger.

Robert McWhinnie touched the girl's back, telling her "It's okay darling, there's nothing to worry about".

He too had been travelling from the resort on the Stagecoach service.

The victim later alerted security when the bus arrived in Preston and he was identified to police.

The 59-year-old man of Cocker Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault.

He was sentenced to a three year community order by Preston Crown Court, with an order to take part in a sex offenders programme.

The court heard that the girl had been surprised when the defendant sat directly behind her on the bus, despite the fact that many other seats were available.

Miss Judith McCullough, prosecuting, said the defendant seemed to be muttering to himself.

The teenager thought she could feel her hair being stroked.

She thought that might have been an accident and moved forward.

During the journey she dozed off and woke to feel that the defendant's hands were underneath her top, with two fingers on her back, in the area of her kidneys.

He said to her "It's okay darling, there's nothing to worry about".

The man smelled of alcohol.

On arriving at Preston, the girl went to security at the bus station.

The police were informed and she went in a car with the police to identify the man responsible.

McWhinnie was arrested. He denied having carried out an assault, claiming the bus had braked and that touching had been accidental.

Mr Joe Hart, defending, said his client had not committed anything similar in the past.

His appearance at court was terrifying for him.

The defendant had been a sad and isolated alcoholic figure, living alone in Blackpool.

On the date of the offence McWhinnie had been extremely drunk and believed the female was an adult.

"In an odd way, it was an ill conceived attempt at a pass", said counsel.

Judge Stuart Baker said young women travelling alone on public transport were entitled to be safe from such actions.

The sentence was to protect the public.

He warned the defendant that he risked being sent to prison if he breached the order.

McWhinnie will be on the sex offenders' register for five years.

He said the girl had acted in a level headed and sensible way.