SIMON CASH FROM BANGOR WORKING AT TESCO DESPITE SEX OFFENSE CONVICTION

In a startling development that has raised concerns among the local community, Simon Cash, a man with a criminal record for sexual offenses, has been spotted working at a Tesco store in Bangor. The incident was brought to public attention when Abbi Lawther, a 22-year-old woman from Co Down and a survivor of a sexual assault committed by Cash, recognized him while shopping in the retail giant.

Cash, a former nursing student from Donaghadee, was convicted in 2018 of two separate sexual assaults against Abbi Lawther. The assaults occurred in Bangor in December 2018, during a night out at Betty Black’s nightclub. According to reports, Cash, then 22 years old, approached a group of friends, including Abbi, and assaulted her outside the nightclub and later inside a taxi. CCTV footage captured the moment he targeted her in the taxi, and forensic evidence, including DNA, linked him to the crime scene and the victim’s clothing.

Following his conviction, Cash was sentenced to serve nine months in prison, with the remaining nine months of his 18-month sentence to be served on license in the community. His sentence also included registration on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years, which extends until 2030. The court’s conditions allowed him to live in the community and work while on license, provided he abides by the law. If he were to breach these conditions, he would be returned to prison to complete his sentence.

Despite his release from HMP Maghaberry late last year, where he was held in the sex offenders’ wing, Cash has not come to the attention of authorities for any further violations. However, his presence working at Tesco has caused distress among those who are aware of his past, especially his victim, Abbi Lawther.

Abbi, who has struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts following her assault, described her shock upon seeing Cash working at the store. She recounted her experience, saying, “I’ve been doing well and working hard to deal with what happened to me, and until recently, I’d been having more good days than bad days. But seeing Simon Cash was a terrible shock. I’ll never forget his face, and I couldn’t believe we were suddenly looking at each other while he was serving customers. The last time I saw him, he was being sentenced to time in jail for attacking me.”

She further explained that she encountered Cash while shopping with a friend, noting that he was dressed in a Tesco uniform and wearing a dark face mask, sitting at an end till serving a customer. “I knew one day I’d see him, but I assumed it would be in the street, not working in a family shop,” she said. The encounter left her visibly shaken, and she described feeling upset and shaking as she left the store. “He looked at me, and I just turned and left. I was shaking and I felt very upset,” she added.

Abbi expressed her concern over Tesco’s decision to employ Cash in a front-line role, questioning why someone with a recent sexual assault conviction and ongoing license conditions would be placed in a position where he interacts directly with the public. “I do understand that prisoners need to rehabilitate, and despite being a sex offender, Simon Cash still has to live in the same world I live in, and he has to find a way to make a living. I’d rather he worked somewhere than have my taxes pay for his dole money. But why not have him away from the general public, or at least off the tills until his license period is over?” she questioned.

She described her feelings of betrayal and distress, saying, “When I saw him scanning groceries for a woman customer, I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. I wanted to shout to her and tell her, but I knew I had to hold my dignity and walk away.”

The case of Cash’s employment raises questions about the vetting procedures and policies of large retail chains like Tesco, especially concerning individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. Critics argue that placing a convicted sex offender on the front lines, handling customer transactions, and engaging directly with the public may pose risks and undermine public confidence.

Cash’s criminal history includes a conviction for sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration. His attack on Abbi Lawther occurred while he was on a Christmas break from studying at Dundee University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. The assault was committed against a stranger outside the nightclub and in a taxi, with forensic evidence linking him directly to the crime.

Initially, Cash was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and three years of probation. However, on March 6, 2020, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with nine months served at HMP Maghabaree and the remaining nine months on license. His placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years reflects the severity of his crimes and the ongoing restrictions placed upon him.