MAN GRABBED WOMAN’S BREASTS AND TRIED TO PUT HIS HANDS DOWN HER TROUSERS
A man who sexually assaulted two women while working at a Liverpool restaurant has been jailed for 14 months.Andrei Grijuc, 30, of no fixed address, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to two counts of sexual assault and one count of failing to surrender to bail.
Callum Ross, prosecuting, told the court that the incidents occurred in the summer of last year while Grijuc was employed at Bon Pan Asian Restaurant in Clayton Square.
On one occasion, he approached a female colleague, wrapped his arms around her, and grabbed her breast over her clothing.
He also kissed her neck, touched her buttocks, and tried to grope her genital area — all over clothing.
Mr Ross continued: “The defendant has attempted to kiss her on the lips, and has then leaned in and begun to kiss the complainant’s neck again.
The defendant appears to have grabbed her genital area, again over clothing.” Despite the woman’s attempts to push him away, Grijuc continued the assault, including grabbing both her breasts again and trying to give her a "love bite." The incident lasted about three minutes and was captured on CCTV, which was shown in court while Grijuc remained expressionless.
Following this report, a second woman came forward.
She said Grijuc had touched and rubbed her thigh on two separate occasions, which she found distressing.
During police interviews, Grijuc denied that his actions were sexual.
Regarding the first incident, he made no admissions but reportedly said he “felt bad about his actions” when shown the CCTV footage.
After being granted bail and ordered to return for sentencing, Grijuc fled the country and remained in Romania for several months, claiming he had lost his identification documents.
He was eventually arrested in Folkestone in March.
A victim impact statement from the first complainant was read aloud in court.
She shared the ongoing emotional toll the assault had taken on her, saying: “If someone touches me unexpectedly I jump and get scared, even if it is family or friends.” She described how the experience had changed her life: “I used to enjoy going out and being chatty, but since the incident I have become withdrawn.” She added, “I felt completely vulnerable… My life has been completely changed since the incident, I feel as if I have become a recluse.” The court heard Grijuc had previous convictions, including theft and failing to surrender, but none for sexual offences.
His defence barrister, Nick Cockrell, noted that Grijuc pleaded guilty early and claimed he had always intended to return to the UK.
Judge Brian Cummings KC, sentencing, said: “The pre-sentence report says you lack insight into your offending, have demonstrated only basic victim empathy and in my judgement have demonstrated no meaningful remorse.” Grijuc received a ten-month sentence for the assaults, plus an additional four months for failing to appear in court.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and must register as a sex offender for ten years.
