ASTIN O’BRIEN FROM BEDLINGTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON YOUNG GIRL IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bedlington and the wider Northumberland area, Astin O’Brien has been sentenced to prison following a heinous incident involving a young girl. The incident took place in February 2020, when O’Brien, then 32 years old, engaged in a series of inappropriate and criminal acts against a girl under the age of 13.

According to court reports, O’Brien approached the young victim and, in a disturbing display of predatory behavior, kissed her on the lips after telling her she was “beautiful.” This act of grooming was followed by him touching her leg in a sexual manner and asking her whether she had ever experienced a “proper kiss” before. These actions clearly indicated an intent to exploit and harm the young girl, who was unable to defend herself against such advances.

The young girl, demonstrating quick thinking and presence of mind, managed to record the moment O’Brien kissed her using her mobile phone. This crucial piece of evidence played a significant role in the subsequent legal proceedings. The girl reported the incident to authorities the very next day, which led to O’Brien’s arrest in March 2020. During his arrest, O’Brien dismissed the allegations, claiming they were “bull****,” a denial that was ultimately disproven in court.

Durham Crown Court heard detailed testimony from the prosecution, with Peter Byrne stating, “The defendant touched her on the leg saying she looked beautiful and later asked if she’d had a proper kiss. The defendant kissed the girl, but she had activated the camera on her mobile phone beforehand and he was caught. After kissing her, he asked if she had feelings for him.” The court was also informed that O’Brien had a history of criminal activity, with 19 previous convictions covering 37 offenses. However, notably, he had never been convicted of any sexual offenses before this case.

At the time of the assault, O’Brien was already under a community order for a separate offense involving taking without consent. His criminal record also includes a reckless driving incident in 2020, where he was caught speeding at up to 93 mph in a 30 mph zone in Ashington while being pursued by police. This history of reckless behavior underscored his pattern of disregard for the law.

Judge Robert Spragg presided over the case and described the video evidence of the assault as “pretty unpleasant to watch.” The judge also noted that O’Brien was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, which may have contributed to his behavior. As a result, O’Brien was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim for the same period. O’Brien will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.

O’Brien’s address was noted as Blagdon Court, Bedlington, where he resides. His conviction and sentencing mark a significant step in addressing the serious offenses committed and serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.