A Hartlepool man sexually assaulted a teenage girl during a bus journey.
Takudzwa Dokotera, 26, of Hamilton Road, Hartlepool, admitted an offence of sexual assault when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday, 4th November 2024.
Sexual assault is an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It has a maximum sentence of 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
Magistrates heard that the drunken warehouse worker made a beeline for the lone teenage girl who was travelling on a bus in the town earlier this year.
Despite there being plenty of empty seats, the 26-year-old chose to sit uncomfortably close to the girl.
Carolyn Craggs, prosecuting, said: "He placed his hand on her thigh and started to stroke her leg. She panicked and didn't know what to do.
"She tried to move away but says he tried to hold her hand."
A good Samaritan came to the distressed girl's aid and made sure she got off the bus safely.
As the victim got up to leave, Dokotera stroked his hand down her lower back.
David Deadman, mitigating, said his client had no recollection of events due to being heavily intoxicated.
He also highlighted that Dokotera had nothing similar on his record - which is not necessarily the same as being of previous good character.
Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report.
Dokotera was granted unconditional bail until his sentencing on Monday, 2nd December 2024.
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