Locations
Brentwood Avenue, Newbiggin-By-the-Sea NE64 6JH
Description
Police have praised the victims of a predatory pervert after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two women.
Raymond Finn preyed on his adult victims as he worked as a festive entertainer in December 2018.
Finn, who played the role of Santa Clause, was immediately dismissed from the job and he was reported to police.
An investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's safeguarding unit and Finn was arrested.
The 71-year-old denied the allegations but in May a jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him of three counts of sexual assault.
The court was told Finn had ‘smacked the bum’ of one victim pushed his groin into her. He then tried to pull his body against the second victim.
Yesterday (Wednesday), he was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Detective Constable Frank Cox, leading the investigation, hoped the conviction would give some closure to the victims and warned that this behaviour is unacceptable.
Det Con Cox said: "Finn is a predator who thought it was acceptable to sexually touch women without their consent. It is simply not acceptable and we will take action to put such offenders before the courts.
“At no point has Finn shown any remorse for what he has done. But with thanks to the victims for speaking out, he has been convicted of his actions."
Finn, of Brentwood Avenue, Newbiggin by the Sea, was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will also have to sign the Sex Offender's Register for a period of seven years.