Caretaker tried to kiss women in town cafe
A SCHOOL caretaker tried to kiss women in a cafe and touched their breasts after drinking heavily, a court has heard.
Kenneth Hughes approached the women from behind as they queued to collect their orders, and put his arms around them and sexually assaulted them.
A judge told the 63-year-old it was “intolerable” that women could not meet friends for a coffee or go about their business without being abused in such a way.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the incident took place in Bridgend town centre in July last year.
Meirion Davies, prosecuting, said the the victims were friends who had met in the town and gone to a local cafe.
As they stood in line Hughes approached the women from behind and put his arms around them and touched their breasts.
The court heard the women told their assailant to “**** off”, and pulled away from his grasp.
Hughes then approached another woman sitting at one of the tables in the cafe, but no complaint was made to police in relation to her.
The cafe owner was informed about what had happened, and the police were contacted.
As victims of a sexual offence the women have legal anonymity.
The court heard the defendant was identified by someone in the cafe who recognised him from the Treherbert area as a school caretaker called Kenny.
The defendant was tracked down and arrested on August 4, and in his interview denied doing anything wrong – though he did say he had been intoxicated on the day in question.
In a victim impact statement which was read to the court by the prosecutor, one the victims said the experience had left her feeling wary of venturing out into the town centre again, and left her always looking over her shoulder.
Hughes, of Miskin Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.
James Evans, for Hughes, said the defendant was “bitterly ashamed” at himself for what happened in the cafe, and said the behaviour was very out of character.
He said as a result of the incident his client had lost his job as a school caretaker, and his wife of seven years had left him.
The barrister said the defendant only had limited recollection of the day in question because of his level of intoxication.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said it was clear Hughes had been very drunk after a day spent drinking alcohol with his brother.
He said the defendant had made lewd comments to the women and touched and tried to kiss them, adding: “It is intolerable that women cannot go about their business or have a coffee with friends without being subjected to this kind of abuse and assault – it’s simply not on.”
The judge said he accepted Hughes was genuinely remorseful for his actions that day.
Giving the defendant a 25% discount for his guilty pleas the judge sentenced him to 21 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to do 120 hours of unpaid work and to complete a rehabilitation course with a Maps for Change sex offenders programme.
Hughes must also pay £450 towards the cost of his prosecution.
The defendant will be a registered sex offender for the next seven years.