SHAUN CHAPLIN FROM HATHERSHALL RECEIVES SUPERVISION AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OLDHAM

In February 2010, a man from Hathershaw named Shaun Chaplin was sentenced to a period of supervision following his involvement in a sexual assault incident that took place in Oldham. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it.

Chaplin, aged 43 and residing on Arran Avenue in Hathershaw, was found guilty of molesting a young girl from Rossendale after a Christmas celebration. The victim, who was a schoolgirl at the time, was described as vulnerable and frightened during the incident. According to court reports, Chaplin engaged in inappropriate physical contact with her on two separate occasions. He initially asked her to sit on his knee and proceeded to undo her bra, then groped her, causing her considerable distress.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Chaplin was heavily intoxicated at the time, having consumed approximately 15 pints of beer. His memory of the events was unclear, and he was reported to have become hysterical when questioned about the allegations. The court heard that Chaplin, who was receiving incapacity benefits, had no prior convictions related to sex offenses, which was noted during the case.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson detailed the assault, stating that Chaplin had placed his hand inside the girl’s top, touched her skin, and tickled her back. He then undid her bra and fondled her. The victim, feeling scared and overwhelmed, asked him to stop, which he did temporarily, but he repeated the inappropriate behavior shortly afterward. The girl, frightened by the incident, sent a text message to her grandmother describing what had happened.

Following the allegations, Chaplin was confronted and became hysterical, threatening self-harm. He was subsequently arrested by police. During police questioning, Chaplin admitted to having consumed 15 cans of lager and claimed he could not remember the incident clearly. However, he acknowledged that if the victim’s account was accurate, then it was correct.

Defense lawyer Nick Dearing expressed remorse on behalf of Chaplin, describing him as “crippled with guilt” over his actions, which he characterized as “utterly shocking and unexpected.” The defense also highlighted that Chaplin did not exhibit any ongoing tendencies toward such offenses, and the probation service assessed that he did not pose a significant risk of reoffending. Dearing emphasized the profound remorse and self-disgust shown by his client.

Ultimately, the court ordered Shaun Chaplin to undergo a three-year sex-offenders’ program, placed him under three years of supervision, and mandated that he be registered as a sex offender for five years. These measures aimed to monitor and rehabilitate him, reflecting the seriousness with which the justice system treated the incident and its impact on the victim.