John Mooney 46

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A CARLISLE man who stalked and sexually assaulted a woman he hardly knew greeted her with the words “Hello Sexy,” a court heard.

The defence lawyer representing 46-year-old John Mooney at the city’s Rickergate court suggested the defendant's worrying behaviour may have been linked to the breakup of his marriage.

Mooney admitted sexual assault and stalking, as well as failing to surrender to the court on three occasions.

The trouble began in June last year after Mooney moved to a new area of Carlisle, prosecutor George Shelley.

“He then undertook a persistent course of conduct – personal advances towards the victim,” said the prosecutor, who described how the stalking behaviour continued for a month or so.

Mooney first introduced himself to the woman, who is in her thirties. “As the weeks went by, he began talking about his personal situation, which made [the woman] feel uncomfortable,” said the prosecutor. 

Mooney began asking the woman to go drinking with him and, despite her repeatedly refusing, he kept asking her. He also began asking her questions about her personal life.

“She made it clear that she didn’t wish to discuss this with Mr Mooney,” continued Mr Shelley. “She told him it was none of his business and that she wanted him to stop asking such personal questions.”

It was during this encounter that the defendant put his arm around the woman and touched her inappropriately.

The woman immediately moved away and asked him what he thought he was doing. He later sent her a letter apologising, attempting to explain his behaviour. 

The following day, he appeared outside her home, but she remained inside, hiding. Even after these events, when Mooney saw the woman, he would greet her with: “Hello Sexy.”

Mooney, now of Margaret Creighton Gardens, Carlisle, had no previous convictions, the court heard.

Sean Harkin, defending, told magistrates: “It appears to have been an isolated incident at a time when the defendant had broken up with his wife; and he was going through a bit of tough period.

“That doesn’t excuse his behaviour but it provides some context.  He wants to apologise to the victim.” Mr Harkin added that Mooney posed a low risk of reoffending.   

Concluding there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, magistrates imposed a 16-week jail term but suspended it for a year.

The sentence includes a restraining order banning any contact with the victim and Mooney was told his name will be on the Sex Offender Register for seven years.

He must pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.