Plymouth man jailed for groping teenage girl in car

A MAN who indecently touched a drunken girl after driving her to a remote spot in his car has been locked up for 15 months.

Martyn Down, 21, bought the teenager vodka before touching her sexually, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Judge Paul Darlow, sending him to a Young Offender Institution for 15 months, told him: "You present something of a risk of serious harm to teenage girls."

Down, of The Avenue, Lee Mill, had denied sexual activity with a girl aged under 16 on July 1 last year. But he was convicted after a trial.

10% OFF ALL EXTERIOR PAINTING

JL Decorators

View details

Print voucher

This voucher entitles you to 10% off your quoted price.
Exterior painting only!

Terms: 1 voucher per person.
1 Voucher per household!

Contact: 01752 421998

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Emily Pitts, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Down had met the girl and given her vodka.

She added: "Later that evening when the teenager was heavily under the influence, he offered to give her a lift home. He stopped in a remote location."

Miss Pitts added another girl in the car, who was sober, saw Down touch the teenager indecently inside her underwear.

Rupert Taylor, for Down, said he did not accept the offence, which limited the work the probation service could do with him.

He added he was immature for his age and showed no "bravado" in facing the court.

Mr Taylor said the teenager was not a "little girl".

Judge Darlow described the sexual touching as "opportunistic".

He said: "You were 20 and she was a teenager and she was unable to resist at the time. The offence was not sustained, but that was because a more sober friend intervened just in time." Judge Darlow said the risk of reoffending could be reduced by the shock of an immediate custodial term.