Accrington pervert who groped two teenage girls spared jail


A pervert who forced himself on two teenage girls who he knew through their parents, has been spared jail.

Noel Green, 33, of St Ledger Court, Accrington, denied he had abused the girls when he had visited their home, but was convicted of two counts of sexual assault by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

The court heard the girls, aged 14 and 16, had been so upset their family had moved away from the area and they now have to travel more than an hour each day to go to school.

But Green, who had been drinking and taking cocaine when he attacked the girls, left court with a suspended prison sentence.

In a victim impact statement, one of the girls – who Green groped under her clothing – said: “Since it happened I have lost more and more confidence. I have always been quiet but now I don’t like going out at all. I’d rather stay in on my own.”

The other girl, who Green tried to kiss, said: “I don’t like going out with my mates any more. They all go out in Accrington but I don’t like to in case I see him.”

Both girls said their family had been planning to move house but since they were attacked by Green had moved away from Accrington to get away from him.
The youngest girl said: “We have lessons after school to get ready for our exams but I can’t go to them because I have to get the bus, and my education is slipping because of him.”

Since he committed the offences Green has referred himself to drug and alcohol services and was deemed a low risk of re offending by a probation officer.
Judge Simon Medland QC, sentencing, said: “In my view young women in their teenage years are particularly sensitive to this sort of groping in which you indulged yourself when you were under the influence of drink and drugs.”

He added it was rare to pass a suspended sentence in a case of sexual assault where the defendant had continued to deny his guilt, but as Green had already spent two and a half months behind bars, he could pass a sentences of 26 weeks and 18 months concurrent, suspended for 18 months.
Green must carry out 50 days rehabilitation activity requirement and was handed a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.