Three-year supervision for a drunken groper

A middle-aged pervert from Oldham who molested a frightened schoolgirl after a Christmas celebration has been sent on a sex- offenders’ programme.

Shaun Chaplin (43), of Arran Avenue, Hathershaw, groped the vulnerable victim from Rossendale twice after asking her to sit on his knee and undoing her bra.

The defendant, who is on incapacity benefits, was said to have drunk 15 pints of beer, could not remember it and was hysterical when the allegation was put to him, Burnley Magistrates heard.

Chaplin, who has no previous convictions for sex offences, admitted sexual assault on a female. He was ordered to undergo a three-year sex-offenders’ programme, sentenced to three years supervision and was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said Chaplin put his hand up the girl’s top, touched her skin and tickled her back. He then undid her bra and fondled her.

She told him to stop, he did, but he then did it again. The victim felt very scared and sent a text message to her grandmother, telling her what had happened.

Chaplin was later confronted over the girl’s claims, became hysterical and threatened to self-harm. He was arrested. Mr Robinson said Chaplin was questioned and told officers he had 15 cans of lager and couldn’t remember anything, although he accepted if the victim said it had happened, that it was correct.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Chaplin was “crippled with guilt” over what he had done, which was “utterly shocking and unexpected.”

Chaplin did not demonstrate an ongoing tendency to commit such offences and the probation service did not think he posed a risk. The solicitor said the defendant had shown profound remorse and disgust with himself.