FOLKESTONE MAN RYAN MCLAUGHLIN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND REPEATED ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENCES
A drunken yob has been hauled before court again - this time for sexually assaulting a woman.Ryan McLaughlin’s alcohol-fuelled behaviour around Folkestone has seen him repeatedly appear in the dock over the past two years.
The 40-year-old notably abused staff in a barber’s shop in 2023 and last year was so drunk he entered the driver’s seat of a police car after officers were called to a disturbance.
Earlier this month, McLaughlin, of Cheriton Road, Folkestone, was back in court after being charged with sexual assault.
The court heard he carried out the assault on a woman over 16 in Folkestone on June 1, and he admitted it at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on September 9.
Prosecutor Julie Farbrace stated, "He has pleaded guilty today at an early opportunity, and he had other dissimilar matters that are scheduled for October." She added, "Alcohol is the backdrop to all his offending." McLaughlin has a history of alcohol-related offences, including abusing staff when he was refused a haircut and shouting at a man in a van outside the barbershop.
When arrested previously, a small amount of cocaine was found on him; he admitted to being drunk and disorderly along with possession of cocaine and was fined.
A further incident involved him laying on the pavement and refusing to move, eventually stumbling into a police car.
In his most recent court appearance, the case was adjourned until October, where he will be sentenced for four other matters plus the sexual assault.
He was granted conditional bail until then, with a pre-sentencing report ordered as alcohol appears to be a significant factor in his behaviour.
