MAN ON SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER AFTER ASSAULT IN STATION PUB
A STEAMING drunk man groped a female acquaintance in a Wemyss Bay pub whilst she was waiting there to meet her partner.Paul Illingworth, aged 55, has now been placed on the sex offenders register and has been teetotal since the sexual assault in March last year, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.
The victim had traveled to Wemyss Bay station to meet her partner and went into the Station Bar to wait for him.
While there, she noticed Illingworth - who was known to her - acting in a highly intoxicated manner and behaving inappropriately.
He made a comment about her bottom, then groped it after she stood up from her seat.
The woman told Illingworth: "You can't do that," and then left the pub, boarding a train to Glasgow.
She was upset and later disclosed the incident to her partner, leading to police contact.
Illingworth was cautioned and charged following police intervention.
He was due to stand trial but pleaded guilty to the single charge.
Defence solicitor Anna Mackay stated that Illingworth appreciated his excessive drinking and accepted that he couldn't remember the incident when police spoke to him.
He has since refrained from alcohol and was 'devastated' by his conduct, offering apologies through his solicitor.
Sheriff James Varney ordered a background report and placed Illingworth on the sex offenders register with a court date set for June 18.
