Man hugged, kissed and groped woman in shopping centre

A 40-year-old man hugged, kissed and groped a woman in a city centre shopping centre, Sligo District Court heard.

Thomas Beljan of Meadow Court, Claremorris, appeared before Sligo District Court where he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman at Wine Street car park on August 23rd, 2018.

Beljan hugged a woman at Johnston Court Shopping Centre, kissed her hard and grabbed her left breast and made sexual comments towards her.

The woman later described the man to gardaí who then identified Beljan in the area. Beljan made sexual comments towards a female garda and to women in the area.

The woman did not sustain any physical injuries but was very shaken from the incident. When questioned by gardaí, Beljan admitted he hugged the woman but said he did not kiss her or touch her breast.

In October 2018 Beljan was admitted to a mental health centre for three months.

Sergeant Derek Butler said the injured party did not wish to come to court, however, she accepted Beljan’s apology and was reassured to hear he was receiving treatment. The court heard the woman is nervous in certain situations when she is on her own as a result of the assault.

Defending solicitor, Mr Tom MacSharry, told the court his client was ‘deeply remorseful’.

Beljan’s wife told the court her husband was doing well and only committed the assault because he was unwell and became overwhelmed because he bet on a Conor McGregor fight and thought he would win.

Judge Kevin Kilrane noted the woman had been touched ‘most inappropriately’. He convicted Beljan and directed he enter a probation bond for 12 months and directed he adheres to his medication regime.