Isle of Dogs man who repeatedly groped woman at train station given suspended sentence

A sex offender who repeatedly groped a woman he followed through a train station has avoided jail.

Benjamin Rothe, of Millennium Drive on the Isle of Dogs, was handed a 26 week jail term suspended for two years after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting his 24-year-old victim.

Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court heard how Rothe, 27, first touched his victim on an escalator at Manchester Piccadilly station on April 10, 2013.

The woman assumed it was an accident but Rothe groped her again. She turned around and saw him smiling at her, hiding his actions with a large picture frame he was carrying.

She left the station but Rothe followed her, and while she was trapped by a passing tram, Rothe walked past her, then doubled back to grope her and make a lewd comment.

Rothe was eventually identified and in addition to his suspended sentence, was ordered to complete a 20 day rehabilitation order and pay his victim £300. He will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

Det Con Mike Gore said: “Rothe’s victim was left frightened and humiliated by what happened.

“Unwanted sexual behaviour will not be tolerated and we will always pursue offenders no matter how much time has passed since the offence.”