Disabled student molested by tutor

Man given suspended jail sentence for sexual assault

A vulnerable university student was molested by a home tutor after she went for help in preparing for her exams, a court heard.

Gopalan Srinivasan was said to have had “a moment of insanity” when he touched the woman’s breasts and thigh while asking her questions about the subject.

But a judge told the 58-yearold she was able to suspend “the inevitable sentence of imprisonment” even though he took advantage in part because the student had disabilities.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim suffered sight and hearing problems.

An agency put her in touch with a Cambridge graduate who she went to see last year.

Prosecutor Trevor Wright said the student’s mother took her to Otham House, Angelica Square, Maidstone, and were somewhat surprised to find Srinivasan and not the tutor they were expecting.

The mother was going to sit in with her daughter but he told her to wait in another room. While giving the tutorial he touched the student inappropriately.

Mr Wright said: “The student didn’t know what to do. She put herself nearer to the desk to shield her breasts. She put her arms over her breasts. He started prodding her on her thigh. She told him to get away. The lesson lasted two hours and payment was made. On the way home she told her mother what had happened.”

When they arrived home she told her father and he contacted the agency and the police.

When interviewed, Srinivasan, of Otham House, denied sexual assault but was convicted. He launched an appeal but abandoned it when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Daniel Stephenson, defending, said: “This was a moment of insanity.”

Judge Adele Williams imposed 15 months imprisonment suspended for two years with 80 hours unpaid work. Under a sexual harm prevention order Srinivasan will have to be accompanied by an adult while tutoring.

‘The student didn’t know what to do’