August 2013
Farmer grabbed and kissed 15-year-old girl
A FARMER who grabbed a 15-year-old girl and kissed her has been put on the sex offenders register for five years.
After Mark Andrew Davis, 45, admitted sexually assaulting the girl, magistrates also ordered him to pay £200 compensation and to undergo a nine-month supervision order to address his behaviour.
Stroud Magistrates’ Court was told he knew the girl and beckoned her over in a nearby lane just after 7pm on May 18.
“She saw him and they said hello,” said Teresa Perry, prosecuting.
“A few seconds later he said he wanted to show her something and she walked towards him.
“When she got close he grabbed her by the arms, kissed her fully on the lips, held her for a short time and told her to go in a barn,
“She was upset and worried. She said no. She was in a very emotional state when she reported the matter.”
Miss Perry said that after police arrested Davis, in interview he could not remember much about the incident but he knew her and knew she was 15, before making no comment.
He pleaded guilty to sexual assault on July 15 and in a basis of plea, he denied asking her into a barn but that was not accepted by the Crown.
Lloyd Jenkins, defending, said Davis, of Kings Green, Berrow, fully accepted grabbing and kissing her but did not ask her into a barn at a farm near his home.
“He wants to pay compensation,” said Mr Jenkins. “He works 70 to 80 hours a week in the farm but does not draw earnings and the family income is limited. He appreciates he has to repay something to her and is willing to complete a supervision order.”
Mr Jenkins said his client would work to complete the order but warned the nature of his work might cause him to miss a session.
An application for a sexual offences prevention order was withdrawn by the Crown.
In addition to the sentence, Davis must pay £85 towards prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
The identity of the victim cannot be published for legal reasons.
