A DRUNK man who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl at Basingstoke bus station has been told to do unpaid work.

Sam Burroughes approached the teenager at around 3.30pm on April 23, 2022, while she waited for a bus and spoke to her, saying she “could do better”.

He then grabbed her by the arm and walked her to the bus station timetable and touched her waist and bottom, Winchester Crown Court heard on Friday, June 2.

Prosecuting, Charles Gabb said: “Not surprisingly as a 15-year-old, she began to feel quite scared, she tried to move away from him.”

READ MORE: Van driver who killed motorcyclist while performing a U-turn on A30 jailed

Burroughes, of Blackstocks Lane, Nately Scures, near Hook, moved her towards to seating area and sat down and rubbed her thigh. Mr Gabb said: “She began to feel uncomfortable and even more scared at this point.

“When the bus arrived, both she and the defendant sat separately.”

The court was told that Burroughs sat at the back of the bus where there was a group of young girls sitting.

Mr Gabb said the 49-year-old took pictures of them, and the group alerted the bus driver.

“As the driver is being alerted [the victim] heard this complaint being made, she then told the bus driver what happened to her at the hands of this man,” Mr Gabb continued.

The bus was stopped, and the police were called, but Burroughes had “made himself scarce” before officers arrived.

A media appeal was launched, and Burroughes was later interviewed by police. During the interview, he told officers that he had been to Winchester with a friend and had beers and vodka before the incident.

SEE ALSO: Jury deliberating in trial of men accused of being involved in man's murder

“He couldn’t remember touching anyone or taking photographs but found photographs on his phone the day after and deleted them," Mr Gabb added.

Burroughes told police that “there would have been no intent whatsoever in touching [the victim],” but Mr Gabb said: “The reality is he was going as far as he could”.

Burroughes previously pleaded not guilty to sexual assault but later changed his plea and admitted the offence. 

In mitigation, Gabriella Fearns said that Burroughs has “expressed his remorse, he is deeply regretful as to what happened”, adding: “Not being in drink he wouldn’t wish any harm to the complainant.”

Ms Fearns continued: “This offence was committed in the context of relapsing in terms of his alcoholism.”

In sentencing, Judge Adam Feest said: “Everyone, in particular young women, are entitled to feel safe when they are out in public.

“Your actions on that day no doubt severely distressed [the victim] and took away that entitlement to feel safe.”

The judge added: “You were in drink at the time…that doesn’t explain why you chose to sexually assault a child.”

Burroughs was given a 24-month community order and told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 35 rehabilitation days.