A man has been jailed for inappropriate behaviour towards a teenage girl in a Southport shop.
On Thursday 9 January a 15-year-old girl was with her friend in B&M at Central 12 Retail Park when a man approached them and repeatedly asked them to drink alcohol with him.
They refused and told him their age to which he then put his arm around the 15-year-old girl and kissed her on the cheek.
Detectives identified and charged David Bigley, 45 years, of Hundred End Lane in Hesketh Bank with sexual assault on a female and possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis, on Friday 10 January and he appeared in court the next day.
On Saturday 11 January, Bigley pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and put on the Sexual Offenders Register for seven years.
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh said: “Bigley’s behaviour towards the young girls was totally inappropriate and unacceptable, despite them telling him their age. His conduct was not welcome and these unwanted advances should not happen to any female of any age and will not be tolerated.
“Thankfully he pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced quickly which saved the victim the ordeal of having to go through the legal process or relieve the experience in court by way of a trial.”
Detective Inspector McVeigh added: “We are committed to tackling any form of abuse or violence against women or girls. We will ensure that they are given the support and action that is required at their time of need.”