RICHARD MCBAIN SHAMES LEDBURY AND NUNEATON WITH HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has resurfaced old wounds and brought to light troubling conduct from the past, Richard McBain, a pub landlord with ties to Ledbury and Nuneaton, has been sentenced for serious offences committed nearly two decades ago. The incident, which took place in 1996, involved McBain, then in his mid-to-late 20s, engaging in inappropriate acts towards a teenage girl aged between 14 and 15 years old in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

McBain, who has previously managed the Swan pub at Hanley Swan near Malvern and is currently the landlord of the Royal Oak pub at Much Marcle, near Ledbury, publicly expressed his remorse after admitting to two counts of indecent assault. The offences included kissing the girl on the lips and fondling her, acts that the prosecution described as breaches of trust and serious violations of personal boundaries.

During the court hearing held at Nuneaton magistrates' court, prosecutor John Cardiff detailed the nature of the offences, emphasizing that McBain's actions were not only inappropriate but also a betrayal of the trust placed in him as an adult and a figure of authority. The court was told that McBain's conduct involved a brief kiss on the lips and some fondling, each lasting only a few seconds, with the entire incident occurring when the girl was under the age of 16.

In his defense, solicitor David Coyle explained that the acts were limited to two closed-mouth kisses and brief fondling, and that McBain could not fully explain why he behaved as he did. Coyle highlighted that McBain, now 42, has expressed deep regret and shame for his actions, which he claims he cannot justify. The solicitor also pointed out that McBain has maintained a clean record since the offences and has been involved in the catering industry since qualifying as a chef. Additionally, he managed a girls’ football team for three years, demonstrating a history of positive community involvement.

McBain’s arrest in June, carried out by seven officers at the pub where he is landlord, has had a profound impact on him and his family. His family, who have been married to him for 20 years, have found the entire process distressing, and Coyle suggested that the emotional toll might serve as a form of punishment in itself.

After a period of deliberation, magistrate Sarah Harding sentenced McBain to a 12-month community order, including 12 months of supervision and the requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. The court also ordered him to pay £300 in compensation to the victim for the distress caused and an additional £75 in court costs. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences and the ongoing need for supervision and accountability for past misconduct.