John Rutherford 40

Description

A drunk Northumberland sex offender was caught after the brave teenage victim secretly recorded the "disgusting" things he was saying to her. John Rutherford began making sexualised comments to the girl before he sexually assaulted her.

But as the 40-year-old was making the lude comments, the brave victim managed to covertly record what he was saying to her. Following the sex assaults - which involved Rutherford "grabbing" her - the teen managed to break away from him before reporting what happened to police.

On Friday, Rutherford, of Amble, Northumberland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of sexual assault. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

David Povall, prosecuting, said Rutherford had been "drinking heavily" before he began making sexual comments to a teenage girl. He said: "[The victim] recorded some [comments] on her mobile phone. The defendant was very heavily intoxicated."

Soon after, ex-RAF serviceman Rutherford sexually assaulted the girl after he "grabbed her by the waist". The frightened girl eventually managed to break free and contacted police.

Lorraine Mustard, defending, said Rutherford was of previous good character and "remorseful" and that he did not want to use alcohol as an excuse. She added he was supported by his wife and other members of his family.

Sentencing him, Recorder Thomas Moran said: "[The victim] was completely terrified. Despite her fear, she recorded some of the disgusting things you were saying to her. [The recording] reveals you were very drunk." The court was told that Rutherford, who works as an electrical engineer, is "genuinely remorseful".

He was given a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and must complete 30 rehabilitation days. A 120 day alcohol monitoring requirement was imposed alongside 100 hours unpaid work.

He will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years and a 10 year restraining order was imposed.