Ex-Latics star spared jail over sex assault

CHRIS KILLEN

A DRUNKEN ex-Oldham Athletic star sexually assaulted a young woman asleep in bed, after entering a luxury mansion where a hen party had been taking place.

Chris Killen (35), who had previously owned the property which has its own jacuzzi and swimming pool, got in through a ground floor door which he knew would not be locked, Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

The former footballer who had had "copious" amounts to drink during a night on the town in Manchester City centre, used a toilet, then went into a darkened bedroom where he climbed into a double bed and touched the bottom of the woman who was among the party guests at the house which had been rented for £2,500 for the weekend.

Gary Woodhall prosecuting, said the woman had been wearing a long T-shirt nightie and knickers, and he had touched her over her clothing, but she had been terrified when she awoke.

Ex-New Zealand international Killen, who played 70 times for Latics, scoring 17 goals, claimed to police after his arrest later the same day, that he had been sleep walking. He later pleaded guilty on a specific basis to a single charge of sexual assault.

Judge Maurice Greene told him the matter was so serious that only custody could be justified, but said after "long and hard consideration" he felt able to suspend the 12 month term for eighteen months because of the unusual circumstances of the case.

The court was told that father of two Killen, of London Road, Adlington, had been in a number of clubs and bars in Manchester on September 17 last year where he had spent around eight hours with friends. He had become separated and taken a taxi to an address in Prestwich, which is owned by a company that now rents the property out.

Mr Woodhall said from his knowledge of the property he knew a basement door would be open.

He was identified from CCTV pictures, and when he realised what he had done, he immediately offered to apologise and take flowers, chocolate and wine to the woman, which he was advised not to.

Killen later said he had not intended to go to the property, but another house owned by the same company which he is involved with. The court was told however, that there was evidence that showed he had been searching his phone for the address of the mansion.

He at first denied any confrontation at the address, and denied the sexual assault.

Lisa Judge defending, said Killen was aware that when drunk he lost the ability to make any appropriate judgements, and had offered a full and frank apology for what had happened.

Ms Judge said he had had had a mistaken belief of where he was when the touching incident happened.

Sentencing him, Judge Greene said a mitigating feature was that Killen recognised he had a problem when binge-drinking, and was taking steps to tackle it.

He was ordered to undertake 20 days rehabilitation requirements, carry out 200 hours unpaid community work and will be subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act for ten years.