Man who sexually assaulted teenager on bus jailed

A man who sexually assaulted a teenager on a bus has been jailed for two years and nine months.

Craig Teare, 38, groped the 18-year-old after moving to the seat next to her on 14 May on the Isle of Man.

Douglas Courthouse heard the bus was about two-thirds empty when he "sat practically on top of her" before attacking her.

Deemster Graeme Cook said Teare's actions were "abhorrent" and had been "devastating" for the victim.

The court heard Teare, of Crossag Close in Ballasalla, had boarded the bus after the victim at about 18:40 BST and had sat down in the seat in front of her.

Shortly afterwards he moved to the seat opposite her and asked if she wanted to buy some cocaine, which she declined.

He then moved her bag off the seat next to her and sat on it, introducing himself and shaking her hand, leaning in to kiss the side of her face as he did.

The court heard he then went on to sexually assault her, with the incident captured on the vehicle's CCTV.

The victim got up and moved further down the bus, sitting next to another passenger who she asked to pretend to know her, but was followed by Teare who sat opposite them.

She told the younger man what had happened by writing a message on her mobile phone and sharing it with him, and he advised her to stay "civil" with Teare for the time being.

She then took a picture of her attacker on her phone before the 38-year-old took her number and began messaging her.

A short time later the victim got off the bus, accompanied by the young man, but again was followed by Teare who continued to pester her and send her messages that ended with kisses.

She went to a nearby pub where she knew the landlord and told him what had happened and the assault was reported to the police.

The court heard Teare, who had been drinking and had taken cocaine prior to the assault, was also on probation for benefit fraud.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said the assault had made her feel sick and she was now unable to use public transport because she experienced panic attacks.

Jailing Teare, Deemster Cook said: "You have had a devastating effect on this young girl."

Teare, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years after his release, which has conditions including a ban on contacting his victim or engaging with any woman he does not know in a public place.

Praising the young man who had tried to protect the woman by putting himself between her and Teare when they got off the bus, the deemster said by taking those steps he had done something that not everyone would have done and should be "commended".