2013: Ex-restaurant boss jailed for sex attack

2013: EX-RESTAURANT BOSS JAILED FOR SEX ATTACK

A former restaurant manager has been sentenced to 18 months in prison following a sexual assault on a teenage girl who was in the process of applying for a job.

Paul Pilkington, residing on Mornington Road in Heaton, took advantage of an intoxicated 18-year-old by escorting her to the downstairs office at La Tasca in Bradshawgate, Bolton town centre, where she intended to print her CV.

It was there that he committed the assault.

During sentencing at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Timothy Clayson remarked, “She was not expecting anything like that to happen.

You took advantage of the fact that she was seriously affected by alcohol.” Pilkington maintained his innocence, but after a five-day trial last month, a jury at Bolton Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of assault by penetration.

He was acquitted of a rape charge.

The court was told that the victim, who cannot be publicly identified for legal reasons, was with her 16-year-old sister on December 29, 2011.

They had stopped outside La Tasca for a cigarette when they were invited inside as the restaurant was closing.

After having a drink, the older sister was taken into the downstairs office by Pilkington, as she had inquired about obtaining a job and needed to print her CV.

Shortly after, Pilkington kissed her and carried out the sexual assault.

The defence argued that the incident was spontaneous and brief, causing no injury.

In his sentence, Judge Clayson noted the seriousness of the offence and ordered Pilkington to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.