KEVIN JENKINS FROM LAWRENCE WESTON SENTENCED AFTER BRISTOL BUS ASSAULT

In July 2010, a disturbing incident involving Kevin Jenkins, a resident of Lawrence Weston, unfolded on a bus in Bristol city centre. Jenkins, a 45-year-old man known for his association with football hooliganism, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl during a night that would leave lasting scars.

According to court reports, Jenkins, who was intoxicated at the time, targeted the young girl as she was returning home from an ice rink. The assault occurred around 10:45 pm on January 16, when Jenkins approached her on the bus and engaged her in a disturbing interaction. He initially asked her to eat a Malteser from his hand, a request that she refused. However, Jenkins persisted, forcing the chocolate into her mouth before physically assaulting her.

The court heard that Jenkins, who had been drinking heavily with a friend earlier that evening, then positioned himself across the gangway of the bus to block her passage. When she attempted to pass, he told her she could only get by if she ate one of his Maltesers. After she declined, Jenkins again pressed the chocolate into her mouth, and as she moved past him, he proceeded to grope her thighs and buttocks. The young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was visibly distressed by the incident. She has since reported feeling withdrawn, frightened, and embarrassed, with some accounts indicating she felt physically sick upon seeing Jenkins at a bus stop after the attack.

Neil Treharne, the prosecutor, detailed Jenkins' actions, emphasizing that Jenkins had a history of 17 offences and was subject to a football banning order due to his support for Bristol Rovers. Jenkins’s address was listed as Mancroft Avenue, Lawrence Weston. The court was told that Jenkins admitted to the assault during an earlier hearing.

Victoria Ellis, representing Jenkins, expressed her client's remorse, stating that he was ashamed and disgusted by his conduct. She highlighted that Jenkins has six children and suggested that if the incident involved one of his own daughters, he would be horrified. Ellis also noted that Jenkins had only a vague memory of the night, attributing his behaviour to the influence of alcohol.

Magistrates sentenced Jenkins to a 10-week prison term, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, register as a sex offender, and participate in a 12-month community order. He is also required to attend a programme addressing substance-related crimes, pay £250 in compensation to the victim, and cover £60 in court costs. This case underscores the serious consequences of alcohol-fueled misconduct and highlights ongoing concerns about public safety in Bristol.