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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is touching a offense that can result in jail?

47 replies

Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:10

I'm worried about my friend ..il try and explain without giving too much detail.
Her boyfriend who works in a bar was arrested last year for touching a minor (4 girls all 17)
On the breast,groin,backside (all through clothes) they went to the police.
Obviously my friend said he is not guilty.
She said they had got in the car with him after the event took place so obviously they wouldn't if this happened.
It has been sent from magistrates court to crown court.
He is polish so they are worried incase he gets deported.
Do you think it will be a slap on the wrist ? Community service
Or worse?

OP posts:
Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:10

(I've changed the location of where they work,it's not a bar but I didn't want to give specifics )

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 23/07/2017 13:12

It's sent to the Crown Court if there's the chance of a sentence longer than six months.

I doubt he'd be deported - he's European so has the right to live here. When you look at who they don't deport, it's hard to think they'd even consider deporting him for this.

Shoxfordian · 23/07/2017 13:13

Why would your friend date someone who is going to court for a sexual assault charge? Huge red flag.

He could be imprisoned for sexual assault. Potentially he could be deported.

Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:14

She has 2 children with him and totally believes his innocence

OP posts:
Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:15

It was actually the police who said if he is sent to jail then he might be deported when released..not sure if that was just a scare tactic

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Ishoos · 23/07/2017 13:16

getting in the car with him afterwards doesn't necessarily mean he didn't do it, they could have been shocked, or not able to get home another way.

tribpot · 23/07/2017 13:20

It looks as if he could be deported if his sentence is greater than 12 months, unless he has previously lived in the UK for five years or more.

ems137 · 23/07/2017 13:20

The girls weren't underage at 17 so is there more to the story that he's not telling?

CatSittingMonkey · 23/07/2017 13:22

At 17 the girls are not minors.

Is there more to this?

Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:24

I really don't know just what my friend told me..
She just said 17 they were classed as minors and he hasn't been able to be alone with any children under 18 years old.
Tbh I thought maybe lots of details were missing that she hasn't told me for them to take it to crown court.

OP posts:
Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:26

Just googled and it says uk/Ireland under 18 is classed as a minor.

OP posts:
Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:27

When he was first arrested he had lived in uk under 5 years but the date of court it will be over 5 years in U.K.

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user1469744625 · 23/07/2017 13:29

Yes, it is an offence (Sexual Offences Act 2003, s 3)
and it is punishable with up to 10 years' imprisonment, although, on the version of events above, a community order is more likely.

AlpacasPackOwls · 23/07/2017 13:30

They are minors under age 18. I don't think anyone can tell you if he'll be deported. I think it's possible depending on sentence.

Please don't think that because they got in his car he's innocent or it can't be too bad. That's really not relevant.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 23/07/2017 13:31

It's usually the date of offence that matters; so if he hadn't been in the U.K. for five years at that time and he's found guilty, he could be deported.

sunshinemeg · 23/07/2017 13:31

Sexual assault covers a huge range of offences. Touching is included. Regardless of what the individuals did afterwards, including getting in his car, it is still sexual assault.

Ashkey234 · 23/07/2017 13:32

Yeah I thought a community order was probably the most punishment he would receive

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kissmethere · 23/07/2017 13:59

It's sexual assault in the eyes of the law. And yes under 18 is classed as a minor. As for deportation that's up to the court I suppose.
As for your friend I'd be out of that relationship sharpish if I was her he's touched FOUR girls inappropriate!

kissmethere · 23/07/2017 14:00

Inappropriately

LittleBooInABox · 23/07/2017 14:07

If it's going to court I think, there's a huge chance he'll get a sentence. How old is he? That makes a difference in these cases. Between idiot young man, and perverted old man. With the later holding more of a weight, at least socially.

Your friend needs to leave him. Of course he will say he's innocent. How many girls say it? Were they friends?

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 23/07/2017 14:09

littleboo that's what a trial is for. Just because he's been accused doesn't mean he's guilty. Yes a few girls have made the claims but they could all be friends. Look at the woman in the paper recently who has been sent down for the vast majority of false rape and sexual assault claims. One of her victims was actually given a jail sentence!

user1498911589 · 23/07/2017 14:16

Sexual assault is a crime against, therefore why would any woman voluntarily stay in a relationship with a man who can't be trusted around women?

user1498911589 · 23/07/2017 14:17

^crime against women.

RoseOfSharyn · 23/07/2017 14:18

Although the age of consent is 16, anyone under 18 is still classed as a minor.

If he was in a position of trust to these people his sentence could be increased.

As others have said, just because they got in the car with him it does not make him innocent.

I was repeatedly sexually assaulted by my driving instructor at 17. I still got in the car and did my lessons with him every week until I passed my test. I didn't report him until a while later as I didn't think I'd be believed.

It came to light that he had assaulted at least another 4 women. All over 30.
His sentence was doubled because I was classed as a minor at the time and because he was in a position of trust.

Yoksha · 23/07/2017 14:20

It's maybe a good thing it's going to crown court. All the facts collected by both parties will go before a jury.