Sentencing of pub landlord delayed
The sentencing of a wellknown pub landlord has been postponed after the Crown Court called for fresh evidence which could determine the severity of his punishment.
Anthony Burnard, 79, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a girl under 13 years of age by sexually touching her when he appeared before Scarborough magistrates in September.
But his basis of plea has not been accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and forced an adjournment at York Crown Court on Monday when the Trafalgar Hotel publican, renowned for his charitable works, was due to be sentenced.
Prosecutor Matthew Collins said the CPS would be gathering fresh evidence from a prosecution witness and asked for the case to be adjourned for a Newton hearing, otherwise known as a trial of issue.
A Newton hearing is held when, despite an admission of guilt, there remains a discrepancy between the prosecution and defence cases that could affect the severity of the sentence.
Judge Simon Hickey agreed to adjourn the case for a Newton hearing on December 7 and granted Burnard bail until then, on condition that he does not contact prosecution witnesses.
Burnard, of Trafalgar Street West, has admitted sexually touching the underage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The incident occurred on June 10.
The prosecution at the previous magistrates hearing said theoffencehadcaused“significant distress” to the victim.
Burnard is likely to be sentenced on the day of the Newton hearing.