A father-of-two has been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register after sexually assaulting a woman inside a Huddersfield nightclub.
The 26-year-old victim said she felt violated and afraid to be near men following the attack at Maverick’s 80’s Lounge.
Joiner Elliott Bray pleaded guilty to sexual assault and must register as a sex offender for the next five years.
Kirklees magistrates heard that the victim had been out in Huddersfield town centre celebrating a friend’s birthday on October 4. They ended up inside the King Street club at 2am , prosecutor Alex Bozman explained.
He told the court that the female clubber arranged to meet her boyfriend and headed downstairs to the lobby area.
Mr Bozman said: “She noticed two men talking by the door. One man put his hand down and touched her vagina over her dress.
READ MORE: Find out how many Huddersfield Town fans are travelling to Leeds United
“She knocked his hand away, hit him in the face and said: ‘Who do you think you are touching me?’”
A bouncer intervened and police were called.
The victim identified Bray, of The Coppice in Lindley, as responsible.
Mr Bozman said: “She said she felt very angry and shocked, she’d had no conversation with the male and was just walking out when the incident happened.
“She felt disgusted and violated and as a result of this incident feels nervous when she goes out at night.
“She said: ‘I’m nervous when males get near to me - I’m angry at the male who thought he could touch me in that way.”
Bray, 21, initially denied the charge and was set to stand trial.
He changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial, which the complainant had attended to give evidence.
Bray said he had shared a bottle of vodka with two friends before going out and then drunk spirits throughout the night.
He claimed he didn’t remember the incident but had to accept that it happened.
Carl Kingsley, mitigating, said: “It was a fleeting touching but the defendant was in drink.
READ MORE: Matthew Burhouse collected sickening images of children and used chat rooms to groom youngsters
READ MORE: Burglars Christopher Broadbent and Roy Ambler jailed for Brighouse crime spree
“He’s now committed a sexual offence and for a 21-year-old this has devastating consequences.
“It’s likely to be in the paper, it’s likely to ruin his relationship and he’s likely to be subject to the notification requirements for five years.”
Bray must register his personal details at the police station within three days as part of the register’s requirements.
He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order.
Bray has to pay £100 compensation to his victim for the humiliation he caused her.
Finally, he has to pay £200 prosecution costs and £60 victim surcharge.
