Scout leader in sexual assault

A HIGHLY-REGARDED scout leader has avoided a prison sentence after he sexually assaulted a woman more than two years ago.

Peter Simpson, 56, only admitted the offence when his case was listed for a trial last month and a judge said his victim had faced the prospect of coming to court, being cross-examined and called a liar.

Judge Jonathan Rose said Simpson guilty plea to the sexual assault had finally spared the woman the ordeal of giving evidence, but he had “taken it to the wire”.

Simpson, of Sandbeds Crescent, Halifax, committed the offence back in the autumn of 2018, but the full details cannot be revealed to protect his victim who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the offence involved Simpson running his hand up the woman’s leg on two occasions and kissing her on the forehead.

When Simpson was initially questioned about the incidents in 2018 he denied the allegation.

The court heard that Simpson had drunk about eight pints and Judge Rose said he was satisfied that the offence would not have been committed if he had not been drinking that night.

Judge Rose explained that the sentencing guidelines for that category of offending gave a maximum of 26 weeks in custody and he had taken account of Simpson’s positive good character and guilty plea.

The court heard that Simpson had worked as a driving instructor and he now faced losing his job as well as any role in the scouting movement.

Barrister Rebecca Young, for Simpson, said he deeply regretted the on-going impact on the complainant and submitted that the offending had been isolated as well as out of character.

Simpson was made the subject of a two-year community order which includes doing 270 hours of unpaid work and ordered to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for the next three months. He will also have to sign as a sex offender for five years and the judge made an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the complainant in the case.

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