March 2022

Northumberland pervert jailed after young girl videoed him sexually assaulting her

A Northumberland man has been jailed after a quick-thinking yougirl managed to video him sexually assaulting her.

Astin Martin O’Brien kissed the child – who was under the age of 13 – after telling her she was “beautiful” in February 2020.

The 32-year-old molested the girl’s leg and asked her if she’d ever had a “proper kiss” before the sexual assault.

Durham Crown Court heard that the young victim managed to record the moment O’Brien kissed her on a mobile phone and later reported him.

When arrested, he told police that the accusation against him was “bull****”. O’Brien was convicted after a trial in December last year.

Peter Byrne, prosecuting, said: “The defendant touched her on the leg saying she looked beautiful and later asked if she’d had a proper kiss. The defendant kissed the girl, but she had activated the camera on her mobile phone beforehand and he was caught. After kissing her he asked if she had feelings for him.”

The court heard that the girl reported O’Brien the next day and he was arrested in March 2020.

When arrested he said the accusation was “bull****”.

Mr Byrne said O’Brien had 19 previous convictions for 37 offences, but had never been convicted of any sexual offence before.

He was subject to a community order at the time of the sexual assault for an offence of taking without consent.

He had also previously been banned from driving in 2020 for reaching speeds of up to 93mph in a 30mph zone in Ashington while being chased by police.

Judge Robert Spragg said the video of the sexual assault was “pretty unpleasant to watch” and that he was “under the influence of alcohol” at the time.

O’Brien, of Blagdon Court, Bedlington, was jailed for 12 months and made subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.

A 10 year restraining order was also imposed and he will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.