'Very drunk' ex-RAF airman who groped 'frightened' teenager keeps freedom
A former airman who groped a teenager has kept his freedom.
John Rutherford's frightened victim bravely recorded the "disgusting things" he said to her during the attack. The former RAF serviceman, who now works an electrical engineer, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault.
At Newcastle Crown Court today Rutherford, 40, of Priory Park, Amble, Northumberland, who has never been in trouble before, was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months with alcohol abstinence requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Mr Recorder Tom Moran said: "She seems like a remarkable young person because she somehow had the presence of mind, despite her fear, to record some of the disgusting things you were saying to her.
"The recording also reveals you were very drunk."
Lorraine Mustard, defending, handed in several refences to the married dad's ordinarily positive character. Miss Mustard said Rutherford is remorseful and added: "A number of factors collided to create a situation where he didn't stop to think before committing this offence and he offended."