CARL THOMPSON SENTENCED FOR OUTRAGEOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MIDDLESBROUGH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Middlesbrough, Carl Thompson was sentenced to prison following a conviction for a heinous sexual assault involving a young girl. The incident took place during the summer months, specifically on August 23, when the 14-year-old victim, who had been drinking with friends, was attempting to attend a birthday celebration at a restaurant located on Linthorpe Road.

Due to her intoxicated state, staff at Joe Rigatoni’s refused her entry, citing concerns over her condition. As a result, she was left waiting outside the restaurant while her friends went inside to enjoy their meal. It was during this time that Carl Thompson, a 34-year-old man from Mayfair Avenue, Middlesbrough, happened to pass by and sat down beside her. The court heard that Thompson, who appeared soaked from the rain and was without shoes, engaged in inappropriate behavior by giving her a hug and attempting to kiss her.

The situation escalated when staff from a nearby bar noticed Thompson’s actions. They observed him placing his hand inside the girl’s dress and committing an indecent assault. The bar staff intervened immediately, preventing further harm. The incident was reported to the authorities, leading to Thompson’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Thompson denied the charges of sexual assault, claiming he was not present at the scene on the day in question. However, this denial was quickly dispelled when two doormen from the bar identified him in an identification parade. During police interviews, Thompson maintained his innocence, asserting, “It’s wrong, it wasn’t me. I would not touch someone like that – I wouldn’t dare.”

Prior to the trial, Thompson submitted a defense statement claiming that the contact was consensual and that the girl was willing to kiss him. Nonetheless, the prosecution, led by Joseph Spencer, argued that there was no consent involved and that Thompson exploited the girl’s drunkenness for his own gratification. The court heard that the girl was vulnerable due to her intoxicated state and that Thompson took advantage of her.

Despite having a history of previous convictions, none related to sexual offenses, Thompson’s actions in this case led to a significant sentence. The judge, Peter Armstrong, sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “You have been convicted on clear evidence of an outrageous offence.”

In mitigation, Robert Mochrie, representing Thompson, argued that the offense was committed impulsively and that Thompson was not a predatory individual. He suggested that Thompson’s actions were not part of a pattern of abuse but rather a momentary lapse in judgment, asserting, “This is not a sexual predator, per se. This is an offence that happened on the spur of the moment. The opportunity was there, and it is not the case that he went out looking for young girls to abuse, which is often the case.”