August 2012 85-year-old man admits sexually assaulting girl on Belfast bus An 85-year-old man who admitted sexually assaulting a schoolgirl on a Belfast bus has been given a three-month suspended jail term. Thomas Todd, from Woodstock Road in the city, pleaded guilty to the offence which took place on December 10, 2010. Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he sat on seat beside the 16-year-old and repeatedly felt her leg as the vehicle travelled along the Woodstock Road. She was on her way home from school and was wearing her uniform at the time. The court heard that the pensioner also made remarks about boys and joked to the girl about drinking after school. Prosecutors said Todd kept his hand on the girl for a number of minutes and continued attempts at conversation, asking where she lived. The girl became increasingly uncomfortable and asked him to get off when he revealed he had missed his stop. ‘Concerning’ The court was told she went to police after reading a news report about a similar situation involving another teenager. Todd was later identified and arrested. The pensioner claimed he could not remember the incident but accepted his behaviour was wrong, a judge was told. A defence lawyer confirmed Todd is serving a three-year probation order for other unrelated matters. District Judge Fiona Bagnall described the assault as “concerning” due to the defendant’s previous offences. Imposing a three-month prison sentence, suspended for three years, she said he was only avoiding immediate custody because of the existing probation order and his guilty plea. It was confirmed that Todd is already subject to a sexual offences prevention order. Judge Bagnall warned: “He needs to be under no illusion as to where these matters stand.”