Nicholas Gillinder 54

Description

A pervert sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman.

Nicholas Gillinder appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today for sentencing after pleading guilty to three offences which involved sexual activity with a vulnerable woman.

The court heard that Gillinder, 51, exchanged a series of sexually explicit messages with the victim, who was in her twenties but who had a mental age of just 13 because of her autism and learning difficulties.

He also touched her inappropriately on a number of occasions.

Gillinder, of Hart Street, Southport, worked in the care sector.

Jonathan Rogers, prosecuting, said: "The victim in this case is classed as a vulnerable adult, who doesn't leave home unless accompanied by an appropriate adult, and has little or no comprehension of sexual matters.

"He [Gillinder] would send her messages saying how much he liked her and asking if she would go to bed with him.

"At the time his marriage wasn't good, which made the victim feel sorry for him.

"He would kiss and cuddle her and in the messages would say things like 'you've got nice boobs' and 'can I feel your bum'."

Mr Rogers said Gillinder reportedly said he "just foolishly fell for her" while he was in the police van after his arrest.

The victim was assessed as having suffered "substantial psychological harm" as a result of Gillinder's actions. This included gaining a significant amount of weight and having "vivid nightmares" about the defendant.

Mr Rogers added: "The victim felt betrayed by what the defendant had done. His offences compounded the complexity of her day to day life."

Arthur Gibson, defending, said: "At the time these offences were committed, his marriage was dying, if not dead.

"He did get too close to this young lady, was not thinking straight and formed an attraction to her, and the rest is history.

"She did not appreciate the underlying significance of flirtatious banter. He thought irrationally that she was responding to his overtures in the same way he was making them."

Judge David Potter told Gillinder: "You well knew she functioned at a much younger age cognitively.

"You ignored your common sense and became infatuated. You began texting her and sending her Snapchat messages which were sexual in nature.

"Her responses were not well-informed but you took them, childish as they were, as encouragement.

"It was not right for a man of your age to engage with a female of limited capacity. You were a trusted person and you abused the trust that she had in you."

Judge Potter sentenced Gillinder to 21 months in jail, of which he will serve half before being released on licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years, and given a restraining order for the same amount of time.