Febuary 2008 Ex-soldier spared jail for groping 12 yr old schoolgirl  A former soldier who groped the breasts of a 12-year-old schoolgirl has been spared jail. Robert Gomersall had drunk up to 16 pints of beer and arrived at the victim’s home late at night. He was given a sofa to sleep on, but committed the attack when the girl and a friend came downstairs, said Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court. The victim told her parents, which led to other sexual offences by Gomersall – who had served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland – being disclosed. Gomersall, aged 50, of Comberton Road, Kidderminster, admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child. Judge Andrew Geddes said he had made “wholly unsuitable remarks” to her., but the offences were at the bottom end of the scale and the defendant had no relevant previous convictions. He was given a three-year community order and told to attend a sex offenders’ group work programme. He was also banned for five years from working with children and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register. The judge warned him similar behaviour in future would mean a jail sentence. Gomersall, who works for a litter agency, must pay £500 court costs. Samantha Powis said he accepted he touched the girl over her clothing. Gomersall told police he felt lonely and depressed and needed companionship.