November 2012 Grantham man ‘lost control’ and sexually assaulted teenage girl in Nottingham A COMPANY boss has been jailed for six months after he sexually assaulted a teenage girl. Andrew Berridge touched the girl and kissed her. The girl described herself as “scared and confused” by his behaviour, Nottingham Crown Court heard. She asked him what he was doing and he said, “it wasn’t so bad” and touched her body again. She complained to police about the 61-year-old, of Long Street, Great Gonerby, Grantham, who runs 4K’s Kitchens, in Meadow Lane, Nottingham. When Berridge was arrested, he initially denied he assaulted her. However, at court in October, he pleaded guilty to the sexual assault, which happened in Nottingham. Judge Nigel Godsmark QC (cor) told Berridge: “I look at what you have done and the circumstances of it. It was a moment, as I see it, of a complete loss of self-control for you.” Berridge, who had no previous convictions for similar offending, will serve half of his sentence before he is released. The judge also ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years and banned him from working with children. A Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which restricts his contact with children, and a restraining order were also imposed to control his movements. Robert Egbuna said, in mitigation, that his client accepted the offence. “Of course, he was a proud man and he was appalled by his behaviour.” Mr Egbuna said it was quite clear, from text messages Berridge sent, that he was effectively admitting the offence. He had been in trouble in the past, but for a long time had lived a law-abiding life, he said. “I cannot explain what made him behave in that way, on that day,” said Mr Egbuna. “Previously he’d behaved admirably.” If you suspect a child is being abused, or you or someone you know is a victim of a sexual assault, call 999. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. For advice about sexual assault, call the Topaz Centre (Nottinghamshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre) on 0845 600 15 88 or call Nottingham Rape Crisis on 0115 9410 440.