2006: Teenage binge drinker jailed for sex attack

2006: TEENAGE BINGE DRINKER JAILED FOR SEX ATTACK

2006: A 17-year-old who engaged in under-age binge drinking and subsequently sexually assaulted a stranger has been given a sentence of two and a half years detention.

Christopher Rooney, from Pickersley Street in Leigh, forced a woman onto the ground and committed a sexual assault against her.

He stated that he was so intoxicated at the time that he could not remember what had happened, yet he admitted guilt to the sexual assault charge.

During the sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Mark Brown remarked: "This case highlights the dangers associated with excessive drinking.

I accept that you were heavily intoxicated, but that does not justify your reprehensible behavior towards this woman.

It was clear you knew she did not consent to your advances.

The facts of this case are very close to an attempted rape." The incident took place in June, when a 20-year-old woman was walking home early in the morning after a night out drinking with friends.

While on Market Street in Leigh, she encountered Rooney, who initiated a conversation, kissed her, and she then headed home.

Rooney followed her, prompting her to call a colleague for safety.

The colleague could hear her asking Rooney to leave and soon arrived at the scene, finding Rooney restraining the woman on the pavement and exposing himself.

The colleague responded by punching Rooney to the ground.

Police arrived and arrested him.

He was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.