BOLTON MAN JAILED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL IN CRUMPSALL
2001: A 27-year-old man from Bolton named Scott Atherton was given a six-month jail sentence in Manchester Crown Court for the indecent assault of a schoolgirl on a bus in Crumpsall.The judge, Anthony Ensor, noted that Atherton had no prior convictions for similar offenses and acknowledged his guilty plea, but emphasized the seriousness of the case warranting incarceration.
Residing alone on Turnstone Road in Kearsley, Atherton will also adhere to the restrictions imposed by the Sex Offenders Act for a period of seven years.
The prosecution, led by Martin Callery, explained that the incident involved a 12-year-old girl seated opposite Atherton on a bus traveling along Bury New Road during the late afternoon.
The girl ignored Atherton’s attempt to engage her in conversation, dismissing his words as 'stupid,' and looked out of the window.
Atherton then touched her leg, and the court detailed that after she stood up, he reached up her skirt without making contact with her private areas.
The girl reported the incident to the bus driver, who promptly contacted police, leading to Atherton’s swift arrest.