MICHAEL PETROU'S NEAR ESCAPE FROM JAIL AFTER HITCHIN SEXUAL ASSAULT IN LONDON
In a recent case that has garnered significant attention, Michael Petrou, a 24-year-old man from London, faced the consequences of his actions in a court hearing held at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, July 1.The case centered around serious allegations of sexual assault involving a young girl in Hitchin, which had taken place several years prior, in 2015.
Petrou was convicted on two counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching.
These offenses occurred between July and October of 2015, when Petrou himself was still a teenager.
The victim, who was only a child at the time, confided in her parents about the incidents five years later, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Petrou's arrest and subsequent trial.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the assaults had happened on three separate occasions.
On each of these occasions, Petrou had exposed himself to the young girl, actions that left a lasting impact on her.
The court was informed that the girl had been profoundly affected by the trauma, with her school performance suffering and her trust in men severely diminished.
Prior to these events, she was described as an outgoing and bubbly individual, but following the assaults, she became withdrawn and quiet, illustrating the deep psychological scars inflicted by Petrou’s actions.
Lawrence Henderson, representing Petrou, argued that his client now resides in London and that the offenses occurred during a period when he was under the influence of drugs such as MDMA and LSD.
This context was presented to provide some background on Petrou’s state of mind at the time of the offenses.
Judge Philip Grey, presiding over the case, acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
He emphasized that Petrou was still a young person when he committed these acts, which was a significant factor in his sentencing decision.
The judge sentenced Petrou to 15 months in prison; however, this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning Petrou would not serve time unless he committed further offenses within that period.
In addition to the suspended jail term, Petrou was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work and participate in a 30-day rehabilitation program designed to address his offending behavior.
He was also required to attend 34 sessions of a specialized sex offender treatment course, aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending.
Judge Grey concluded his remarks by telling Petrou, “You have avoided custody by the very skin of your teeth,” highlighting the narrow margin by which he escaped immediate imprisonment.
The court’s decision reflects a combination of accountability and an opportunity for rehabilitation, with the hope that Petrou will address the underlying issues that led to his offending behavior.
