THOMAS TODD, 85, SENTENCED IN BELFAST FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL
In August 2012, an 85-year-old man from Belfast named Thomas Todd was sentenced after admitting to a sexual assault involving a teenage girl aboard a Belfast bus.Todd, of Woodstock Road, pleaded guilty to the charges concerning an incident on December 10, 2010.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court was told that Todd sat next to the 16-year-old girl and repeatedly touched her leg as the bus traveled along Woodstock Road.
The girl, who was returning home from school in her uniform, reported that Todd made remarks about boys and joked about drinking after school.
Prosecutors detailed that Todd kept his hand on the girl for several minutes and persistently tried to engage her in conversation, asking questions about her residence.
As the girl grew more uncomfortable, she requested him to get off when Todd revealed he had missed his stop.
The court was informed that the girl later contacted the police after reading a news report about a similar incident involving another teenager.
Todd was identified and subsequently arrested.
During police interviews, Todd claimed he did not remember the incident but acknowledged that his behavior was inappropriate, a court was told.
A defence lawyer noted that Todd was already serving a three-year probation order for unrelated matters.
District Judge Fiona Bagnall described the assault as 'concerning,' especially considering Todd's previous offences.
She sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for three years, explaining that the sentence was lenient due to his existing probation order and his guilty plea.
It was also confirmed that Todd is currently subject to a sexual offences prevention order.
Judge Bagnall issued a stern warning, saying, 'He needs to be under no illusion as to where these matters stand.'
