SEX OFFENDER ADAM RICHARDS JAILED FOR TRAIN SEXUAL ASSAULT
A notorious sex offender known as Special Brew Sid, Adam Richards, aged 48, was involved in a serious incident on December 24, where he boarded a train very intoxicated and attempted to assault a young woman.Richards, who has a long history of offending with 52 prior convictions for 90 offenses, was very drunk when he caught the early morning service.
Train staff had to warn him to pull up his trousers before he was allowed to board the 7.20 Lewes to Brighton train.
Once on the train, Richards sat opposite the woman and engaged in unwanted physical contact by touching her thigh and following her through the carriages during the 15-minute journey.
As the train approached Brighton, he waited behind her at the doors and tried to kiss her.
The young woman, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, provided evidence from behind a screen, describing how Richards came right in front of her asking questions and attempting physical contact.
She demonstrated to magistrates where Richards touched her, saying he kept shouting things like 'I want you.' She expressed feelings of shock and sickness, revealing that she felt too traumatized to use trains since the incident, with her anxiety worsened.
Richards admitted to being very drunk and having little memory of the journey; he stated he just wanted to talk and that his trousers had slipped down due to a belt problem.
He denied sexual touching, claiming he was only being friendly, and insisted he had no intention to harm.
During court proceedings, he was shown CCTV footage which confirmed his inappropriate conduct.
In sentencing, Magistrate John Standbrige described the offenses as profoundly serious, warranting a custodial sentence.
Richards was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for sexual touching and attempted sexual touching.
He is also required to report to the police and be on the sexual offenders register for five years and is under a restraining order until September 14, 2021, to stay away from the victim.
Richards, who has been nicknamed Special Brew Sid since 2000 due to his history of harassment and his taste for strong lager, was convicted partly based on his history and the evidence presented.
The court emphasized the severity of his actions and the impact on the victim.
