FACTORY WORKER DAVID RITCHIE FROM NEWCASTLE SPARED JAIL AFTER GROPING VICTIM AND SENDING EXPLICIT TEXTS

In October 2017, a factory cleaner named David Ritchie was convicted of grabbing a female colleague twice after he had sent her unsolicited sexually explicit messages. Despite his actions, Ritchie was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment.

During the first assault, Ritchie forcibly touched his victim, gave her love bites, and pulled at her clothing. A few days later, he repeated his misconduct by grabbing her again and simulating sex with her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Ritchie, 38 years old and residing in Mill Terrace, Shiney Row, had a significant criminal history with 142 previous convictions, though none related to sexual offences. Prosecutor Adam Birkby explained: "She did nothing to encourage him. She told him she did not like what he was saying." The court was also told that Ritchie's actions left the victim feeling frightened and embarrassed.

Ritchie admitted that his behaviour was merely "sexual banter" and claimed that the woman fabricated her claims of sexual assault out of jealousy over his relationship with another woman. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced Ritchie to five months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, Ritchie is required to participate in a sex offender group work programme and other rehabilitation measures. He is also ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years and to adhere to a lifelong restraining order intended to keep him away from the victim.

In sentencing, Judge Spragg stated: "You started to make inappropriate sexual comments to her. She did not do anything to encourage you, indeed she told you she did not like what you were saying. You sent her texts in explicit terms and she didn't reply. You persisted despite her making it clear she was not at all interested in your advances." The judge highlighted that the victim now struggles with trust issues around men and fears encountering Ritchie again.

Concluding, Judge Spragg described Ritchie's conduct as "appalling" but emphasized that the long-term goal of the justice system is to prevent further victims: "The protection of the public in the long term is better achieved by taking steps to deal with your behaviour so there are no other victims."